Idimogu urges Atiku, Obi to wait till 2031, back Tinubu

Stanley Ihedigbo

A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to shelve their 2027 presidential ambitions and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.

Idimogu made the appeal while speaking with journalists on Thursday, October 1, 2026, on the sidelines of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

According to the former lawmaker, four years would not be sufficient for Tinubu to complete the reforms and policies initiated by his administration, urging Nigerians to support and pray for the President.

“Rome was not built in a day. I still believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, I believe in his experience,” Idimogu said.

He argued that the administration had been in office for slightly more than three years and could not be expected to resolve all of the country’s challenges within that period.

“Nigerians should not forget that he is just over three years in office, and he cannot perform magic. He is not a magician. With all the reforms he is doing, it will take a while to reach ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

Idimogu described Tinubu as a patriotic Nigerian committed to moving the country forward and called for support from citizens across the country.

He, however, acknowledged the role of opposition parties in a democracy, saying criticism should be accompanied by alternative policy proposals.

“There is no democracy where there is no opposition. The opposition can criticise him, but also provide a better alternative to whatever policies Asiwaju and the APC are bringing forward,” he said.

‘Let South Complete Its Eight-Year Tenure’
The former lawmaker also appealed for adherence to the informal zoning arrangement in the distribution of political power, arguing that the North should wait until 2031 for another opportunity at the presidency.

“Let the North allow the South to complete its tenure. Four years is not enough, so give him the opportunity to complete his eight years,” he said.

According to Idimogu, allowing the current administration to complete two terms would, in his view, promote continuity in the presidency before power returns to the North.

Addressing Atiku directly, he appealed to the former Vice President to support Tinubu, citing what he described as their longstanding political relationship.

“Tinubu and Atiku have always been friends. It is not the North’s turn now. They should wait till 2031 and give their support to Asiwaju,” he said.

Idimogu also appealed to Obi, whom he described as his brother, to support Tinubu in the interest of what he called southern unity.
“For my brother, Peter Obi, he is a gentleman.

But he should allow the South to work with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If you divide the South now, you are pushing power to the North,” he said.

Idimogu Expresses Confidence in Tinubu
The former lawmaker further expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances of securing another term in office, citing what he described as the President’s hard work and support.

“I don’t see any opposition party that will win. I know APC will win, Asiwaju will return as president in 2027. It will not be easy, but I believe he will emerge,” Idimogu said.

His comments are consistent with earlier public statements in which he has called for southern political leaders to support Tinubu’s second-term bid and argued that opposition coalitions would face significant challenges in the 2027 contest.

Idimogu nevertheless urged Nigerians to continue to hold the government accountable through constructive criticism while, in his view, allowing the President to pursue his reform programme through a second term ending in 2031.