December 2025 — Dalena Reporters
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has begun a calculated political strategy ahead of the 2027 general election, focusing on consolidating bloc votes in the South and the North-Central geopolitical zone, as internal party maneuvers and opposition realignments intensify across the country.
According to findings by Dalena Reporters, the President’s re-election roadmap places strong emphasis on regions considered politically fluid and decisive in national elections, particularly the North-Central, which has emerged as a battleground zone following years of insecurity, economic hardship, and shifting voter loyalties.
Sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) disclosed that Tinubu’s camp is working to solidify alliances with governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political power brokers across the South-West, South-South, South-East, and North-Central, while simultaneously seeking to neutralize opposition influence.
Why The South And North-Central Matter
Political analysts note that while the APC retains significant support in parts of the North-West and North-East, the North-Central has increasingly become a swing region, capable of tipping national outcomes. The zone has also been vocal in its grievances over insecurity, farmer-herder violence, and perceived marginalization.
Tinubu’s strategy reportedly includes targeted federal appointments, infrastructure projects, and renewed security assurances aimed at rebuilding trust in the region. Party insiders say the presidency views the North-Central as essential to offset potential losses elsewhere.
In the southern regions, particularly the South-East and South-South, where the APC has historically struggled, the administration is said to be recalibrating its engagement approach. This includes outreach to opposition figures, encouragement of defections, and renewed dialogue on economic inclusion and political representation.
APC Internal Calculations
Within the APC, discussions are ongoing about zoning, running-mate considerations, and coalition-building. While no official declarations have been made, insiders suggest that Tinubu’s 2027 ticket will likely reflect a deliberate balance aimed at appealing to both the South and North-Central, especially given growing agitation for inclusivity and power rotation.
A senior APC chieftain, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the President’s camp is keenly aware that “2027 will not be business as usual,” citing economic pressures, subsidy removal fallout, and public frustration as factors shaping voter sentiment.
Opposition Response
Opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and emerging third-force movements, are closely monitoring Tinubu’s maneuvers. The PDP has also identified the North-Central as critical to its own 2027 strategy and is reportedly courting influential figures in the zone.
Political observers warn that competition for bloc votes could intensify political tensions, especially as economic reforms continue to test public patience.
2027 Beyond Numbers
Beyond electoral arithmetic, analysts argue that Tinubu’s success in securing South and North-Central support will depend less on political symbolism and more on tangible outcomes — improved security, economic relief, and governance reforms that resonate with everyday Nigerians.
As early political calculations accelerate, the President’s focus on bloc voting underscores a broader reality of Nigerian politics: regional alignment remains central to national power, and the road to 2027 is already being paved with strategic alliances, quiet negotiations, and high-stakes political calculations.