…Ex-lawmaker tells Atiku, Obi to step aside
Chinwe Odita, Political Editor
A former Lagos lawmaker, Jude Idimogu, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi to shelve their 2027 ambitions and support President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Idimogu made the call while speaking with journalists on Thursday, October 1, 2026, on the sidelines of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
He said four years would not be enough for Tinubu to complete his reform agenda and that the president needs the support of Nigerians to deliver.
“Rome was not built in a day. I still believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government; I believe in his experience,” Idimogu said.
“Nigerians should not forget that he is just over three years in office, and he cannot perform magic.
He is not a magician. With all the reforms he is doing, it will take a while to reach ordinary Nigerians.”
Idimogu described Tinubu as a patriotic Nigerian committed to moving the country forward and urged citizens across regions to rally behind him.
He said opposition parties have a role in democracy but should offer viable alternatives alongside criticism.
“There is no democracy where there is no opposition. The opposition can criticise him, but also provide a better alternative to whatever policies Asiwaju and the APC are bringing forward,” he said.
He appealed for respect for the zoning arrangement, arguing that with the presidency currently in the South, the North should wait until 2031.
“Let the North allow the South to complete its tenure. Four years is not enough, so give him the opportunity to complete his eight years.
After the South, the presidency will move to the North. There is no point trying to abort it now, it will not help us,” he said.
Speaking directly to Atiku, Idimogu urged him to shelve his ambition, noting the long-standing friendship between the former vice president and Tinubu.
“Tinubu and Atiku have always been friends. It is not the North’s turn now. They should wait till 2031 and give their support to Asiwaju,” he said.
He also appealed to Obi to support Tinubu in the interest of southern unity.
“For my brother, Peter Obi, he is a gentleman. But he should allow the South to work with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If you divide the South now, you are pushing power to the North,” he said.
Idimogu expressed confidence that Tinubu would win re-election in 2027.
“I don’t see any opposition party that will win. I know APC will win; Asiwaju will return as president in 2027. It will not be easy, but I believe he will emerge,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to criticise constructively where necessary but allow the president to complete his tenure in 2031.
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