Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has audaciously declared himself the undisputed king of northern votes, insisting no political heavyweight in the region comes close to his electoral strength.
Atiku, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the claim during an appearance on Arise Television Prime Time on Wednesday.
“Can you tell me, among the current leaders in the north, who has more votes than I have?” he asked.
In a direct swipe at top northern figures, Atiku said neither Aminu Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, nor Nasir el-Rufai can match his political dominance in the region.
“I mean, you are talking about figures like Tambuwal, you are talking about figures like Kwankwaso, and others, and el-Rufai, and also the emerging political figures,” he said.
“None of them has got that northern bloc vote as much as I have got.”
While acknowledging Kwankwaso’s grip on Kano politics, Atiku argued that the state is no longer firmly under one man’s control.
“Well, the absence of it may affect, but even in his own case, you can see how Kano is now split between himself and his former governor,” he said.
“So there is even a split in that.”
The Adamawa-born politician, who has contested the presidency multiple times, is again eyeing the top seat in 2027.
He also revealed plans to push for a constitutional amendment to introduce a rotational presidency if elected.
