Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, even if he were to run on a joint ticket with Labour Party flag bearer Peter Obi.

Speaking in a conversation posted on Instagram by TheMicon Podcast, Musawa described Atiku as a “formidable opponent” but insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain remains no match for the ruling All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the next electoral cycle.

“I think he’s a formidable opponent. But I do not think in 2027 that Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as much as I admire him and he’s such a great patriot and, you know, he’s like a father of mine, I would say, but I don’t think he’s a match,” she said.

Musawa argued that even a highly speculated alliance between Atiku and Obi would not be enough to unseat Tinubu, suggesting that the political arithmetic still favours the incumbent.

“I don’t think he’s a match even if Atiku and Peter become together,” she added, suggesting that such a coalition would be fraught with internal contradictions.

The minister pointed to the likely backlash from Obi’s core supporters, known as “Obidients,” many of whom have repeatedly rejected the idea of their preferred candidate accepting a vice-presidential slot under Atiku.

“So the Obidients that have vowed not to support, that’s going to upset a lot of Obidients because they’re not really willing to take Peter Obi as a vice-presidential candidate, are they? So that’s going to upset a lot of people, a lot of people are going to have to eat crow that said they wouldn’t support Peter Obi if he became vice-presidential candidate,” she said.

Musawa further contended that an arrangement that places Obi at the top of the ticket, with Atiku playing second fiddle or staying out entirely, would be even less threatening to the APC.

“And if it’s the other way around, if Peter Obi is on the ticket as a presidential candidate, then that is the fastest way the opposition is going to lose this election. I promise you. I promise you honestly,” she stated.

The clip has triggered a wave of reactions online, with some social media users agreeing with Musawa’s assessment and others accusing her of merely defending her political appointment while underlining Obi’s perceived strength as the opposition’s most potent figure.