The Tinubu Must Go (TMG) movement has adopted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election, following the failure of opposition figures to agree on a common ticket.

According to the Northern Nigeria Hub, the group’s convener, Barrister Abba Hikima Fagge, announced the decision in a video broadcast, saying it followed a public opinion poll conducted by the movement. Fagge said the poll attracted more than 109,000 votes, with the Atiku/Obi option recording 73.6 per cent, compared with 24 per cent for the Obi/Kwankwaso option.

Fagge said the result reinforced the need for opposition supporters to rally behind one candidate to prevent votes from being divided ahead of the election. He explained that after efforts to get the major opposition figures to reach an agreement failed, the movement decided to mobilise supporters around a single ticket.

He also dismissed allegations that the Facebook poll was manipulated, arguing that it was conducted openly and allowed participants to vote for their preferred option. However, he acknowledged that the exercise could not be regarded as a comprehensive representation of the views of the entire Nigerian electorate, while maintaining that it offered an indication of sentiment in Northern Nigeria.

The TMG convener said the decision was not based on hostility towards Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso, whom he said he also considered preferable to President Bola Tinubu. He urged opposition supporters to put personal interests aside and rally behind Atiku, saying the movement’s aim was to consolidate opposition support around one candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.