Tension Mounts as IBB Tacitly Endorses Tinubu for 2027 Presidency
Palpable tension is brewing across political camps following a subtle yet significant endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), ahead of the 2027 general election.
IBB’s remarks, delivered during an exclusive interview with select journalists in Minna, Niger State, have unsettled loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari and other aspiring presidential hopefuls. Many now fear that the former military ruler’s nod could sway support in Tinubu’s favour and tilt the political scales as 2027 approaches.
Speaking on the nation’s political trajectory, Babangida praised Tinubu’s political tenacity, describing him as a leader who has demonstrated resilience, strategic thinking, and the capacity to govern through stormy waters.
“Tinubu is a master of political survival,” IBB noted. “Despite pressure, criticism, and enormous challenges, he continues to forge ahead. The Nigerian people will reward that kind of strength.”
While acknowledging the hardship faced by Nigerians in the wake of Tinubu’s economic reforms, Babangida expressed confidence that the pain would not be in vain. He asserted that the long-term gains of current policies would ultimately justify the temporary discomfort.
“I have witnessed governments in the past making tough decisions, and I am confident that Nigerians will see the results—if patience is managed effectively,” he said.
The endorsement, though carefully worded, has sparked serious political calculations, especially within camps that had counted on IBB’s neutrality or silent disapproval. For many in the opposition and even within the APC, the message is clear: 2027 may not be the open race they had anticipated.
Source: BusinessDay
