Phrank Shaibu, a communications aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has predicted that the 2027 presidential election will be the easiest contest for his principal, arguing that Nigerians battling economic hardship will vote for him in large numbers.
Shaibu said Atiku could attract more support from voters dissatisfied with the economic conditions under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, expressing confidence that the public’s struggle with rising living costs would influence the outcome of the election.
He made the remarks during an interview on the Mic On Podcast while responding to a question about how Atiku could improve on his performance in the 2023 presidential election, when he secured 29 per cent of the votes, despite Tinubu’s incumbency and political structure.
“The pathway is simple, and this one, it’s going to be one of the easiest elections for Atiku Abubakar,” Shaibu said.
According to the aide, hunger and poverty would play a significant role in determining voters’ choices in 2027. He predicted that Nigerians hoping for improved living conditions and more affordable goods and services would rally behind the former vice-president.
“Hungry Nigerians, impoverished Nigerians, who are excited that life will be affordable again, will vote Atiku massively come January 16,” he said.
Shaibu maintained that Atiku’s anticipated support would come from citizens who believe the current administration has failed to improve their economic circumstances.
He also alleged that Tinubu and members of his family and cabinet were aware of the administration’s shortcomings.
“Tinubu is aware himself that he has failed. His wife is aware that he has failed. His son is aware that he has failed. His ministers are aware that he has failed,” Shaibu said.
Atiku’s Aide Questions Plan to Hire 4,000 Influencers
The former vice-president’s aide also criticised the government’s reported plan to engage thousands of social media influencers to publicise its achievements.
Shaibu was reacting to recent comments by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who spoke about plans to hire 4,000 influencers to showcase projects carried out by the Tinubu administration.
He questioned why a government that had made a significant difference in the lives of citizens would need such a large number of influencers to convince the public of its achievements.
According to Shaibu, the need to rely heavily on influencers raises questions about how effectively the administration has communicated its performance and the impact of its policies.
“That was why Umahi was on TV the other day, and he told the whole world how he is going to hire 4,000 influencers to showcase what they have done,” he said.
“Influencing means you need to make believe. You need to show people. You don’t need to struggle to show what you have done if you have made impact in the last three and a half years,” Shaibu added.
His comments come as political discussions gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with economic hardship and the performance of the Tinubu administration likely to feature prominently in debates over the country’s political future.
