As Nigerians look ahead to the 2027 presidential election, the plot to democratically sack President Bola Tinubu is active.

The opposition alliance argues that Nigeria needs a change at the helm of affairs, with strong criticisms directed at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which has been in power since 2015.

Plot to sack Tinubu in 2027

Legit.ng looks at top 10 Nigerian politicians watching Tinubu's moves ahead of the 2027 election.

1. Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, has shown no signs of stepping back from the political stage. Tyhe 78-year-old has thrown his weight behind the coalition intended to displace Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku has reportedly proposed a one-term presidency with Obi as his running mate, fueling speculation about a strategic alliance to consolidate the opposition vote.

Their July announcement of the coalition, however, sparked debates about the effectiveness of such political unity.

2. Seyi Makinde

Now this would be a real surprise. But even more than just a surprise, it would be proof of just how desperate the PDP leadership might be.

With Atiku's exit from the party, the PDP appears to be scrambling for potential candidates. They have been trying to get Peter Obi back to the party, and are considering former President Goodluck Jonathan again, though it was with him they lost their title as “ruling party” to the APC. Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), is an option, but he is also openly allied with APC members. It seems anyone will do for the PDP at this point.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, will have completed his second term as Oyo state governor in 2027. That is usually when Nigerian politicians swap the governor’s office for a seat in the senate, but it appears Makinde may be looking towards Aso Rock.

Conflicting reports surround the governor’s ambitions. Fellow PDP member and former governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, claims Makinde assured him he would not run against Tinubu. However, Makinde himself has declared: “I do not have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land.”

Presidential campaign posters for Makinde are already appearing in northern states like Kano and Jigawa.

Is there anything more exciting than an underdog stepping up and surprising everyone, giving the big names a real challenge?

3. Peter Obi

The former Anambra state governor ran alongside Atiku as running mate in the 2019 general elections where Nigerians re-elected the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari (of blessed memory.

For 2023, Peter Obi joined the Labour Party (LP) and turned the presidential election into a three-horse race, keenly contested between himself, Atiku of the PDP, and the winner, Tinubu of the APC.

Obi’s first direct shot at the presidency made him a thorn in the flesh of the ruling APC due to his youth-led support base dubbed the ‘Obidient movement’.

Many also believe Obi’s candidacy was considered a south-east chance to rule the country since the return to democracy.

While Obi has not officially left the embattled LP, his fraternisation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition positions him as one possible candidate for the party in 2027.

Legit.ng reports that the 2023 LP presidential candidate has unveiled a proposal to the opposition coalition seeking a one-term presidency if given the ticket.

4. Nasir El-Rufai

A former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, has been one of the most outspoken critics of Tinubu’s administration.

El-Rufai recently confirmed that discussions are ongoing to form a powerful opposition alliance to oust the President in 2027.

Speaking in May, El-Rufai boldly declared:

“Anybody that thinks it is possible for President Bola Tinubu to get re-elected is living in another country, not Nigeria… I don’t see a pathway for him, no matter how disorganised the opposition is.”

According to El-Rufai, the economic and political situation has eroded Tinubu’s support base to the point of no return.

5. Rotimi Amaechi

Some members of the list in this report are playing their cards close to their chest, but not Rotimi Amaechi.

The former Rivers state governor has gone on record to say that he will defeat the ruling APC if he is given the ADC presidential ticket for 2027.

As a member of the PDP, Amaechi served two terms as governor of Rivers state before dumping them for the APC. He went on to work as director-general (DG) of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign and he was rewarded for this role with a ministerial position, which he occupied for both of Buhari’s terms in office.

However, in 2023, he decided he wanted to be president himself but came second in the APC primaries behind Tinubu.

Recently, Amaechi claimed he will expose APC’s antics if given the opportunity and promised to use his in-depth knowledge of the party to take it down in the 2027 election should he be allowed to run as the ADC frontrunner.

6. Babachir Lawal

Another prominent voice in the anti-Tinubu bloc is Babachir Lawal, the former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).

Lawal has been actively involved in coalition talks and is reportedly playing a key role in strategising for 2027.

7. Bala Mohammed

In August 2024, Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed said he is contemplating a presidential bid but will drop his ambition if former President Jonathan decides to contest.

Mohammed stated that his criticisms of the administration of President Tinubu are part of his responsibility to help put the country on the right path.

8. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

Maybe there is something about being a vice-presidential candidate, too. Peter Obi was Atiku’s running mate in 2019 before deciding he wanted to be the main man for 2023 and beyond.

So maybe it is just poetic justice that his own 2023 running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, is considering being the main man too. Baba-Ahmed has claimed he would only contest if Obi did not, but while Obi has been flirting with the ADC, Baba-Ahmed has ruled out a defection to the ADC for himself. How their dynamic would play out should Obi officially move parties remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Baba-Ahmed has been calling for reconciliation of the warring factions within the LP. He has been very vocal about his loyalty to the party, and should they lose Obi, it is very possible LP puts Baba-Ahmed forward as their candidate.

While he still seems hesitant to outrightly declare his ambition, there is still a lot of time before 2027, and so much more could happen. But do not be too surprised if you see Baba-Ahmed on the ballots come 2027.

This could be when the once loyal sidekick gets a dedicated storyline and show Nigerians what he is really capable of.

Baba-Ahmed, a former senator, is a staunch critic of the Tinubu administration.

9. Ganiyu Bamidele Ajadi

Ajadi was the governorship candidate of the ADC in Oyo state during the 2023 election.

The Oyo politician is a medical doctor. Ralph Nwosu, former ADC national chairman, disclosed in July:

"There are also people who are rooting for Dr Ganiyu Bamidele Ajadi to run."

10. Aminu Tambuwal

Recently, Aminu Tambuwal, the current Senator representing Sokoto South at the national assembly, rallied his supporters in his state.

The former Sokoto state governor vowed to oust the APC in 2027.