The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, has strongly dismissed the viability of any emerging northern political coalition, labelling its key proponents as “paperweight politicians with no grassroots influence.”
In an exclusive interview with Hobnob News at the Sokoto Government House on Saturday, Sadiq-Achida confidently stated that even if a coalition were to materialize in Northern Nigeria, Sokoto State alone could secure enough votes to cover any electoral shortfall for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the region.
“Even if any so-called coalition emerges in the North, Sokoto will deliver the votes needed for Tinubu. These people have no structure. They are politicians on paper, not on the ground,” he asserted.
El-Rufai and Atiku Lack Grassroots Power, Says APC Chair
Sadiq-Achida specifically downplayed the political relevance of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of alienating the people of Southern Kaduna during his administration.
“El-Rufai has lost touch with Kaduna, especially Southern Kaduna. The people there still feel wounded. He didn’t allow free elections in those areas,” he said.
Turning his attention to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the APC leader claimed Atiku was battling an internal crisis in his home state of Adamawa, including a strained relationship with his state governor and recent revocation of his traditional title.
“Everyone knows Senator Aishatu Binani won that election, but politics took a different turn. Atiku is still grappling with his own governor, and losing his traditional title shows how much support he’s lost,” he noted.
Coalition Members Called Out as ‘Electoral Lightweights’
According to Sadiq-Achida, the politicians forming the proposed Northern coalition lack the credibility to challenge the APC’s growing momentum.
“Most of them can’t win their polling units, let alone their wards. They’re not real political forces,” he stressed.
He cited the case of former Senator Abubakar Gada, accusing him of causing internal strife within the APC before defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he failed to make an electoral impact.
“Gada contested under SDP in the 2023 governorship election and got only 230 votes across 3,900 polling units. He didn’t win even one. His political base in Gadawa is practically non-existent,” he claimed.
‘Tinubu Will Win Again, Sokoto is Secure’ — Sadiq-Achida
Reaffirming the APC’s political dominance in Sokoto, Sadiq-Achida said the party remains solidly behind President Tinubu, and the state is well-positioned to deliver significant votes in future elections.
“The APC is strong in Sokoto. The people are with us. Come 2027, we will show once again that the North, especially Sokoto, stands firmly behind President Tinubu,” he said confidently.
With internal challenges plaguing opposition figures and continued grassroots mobilisation, the Sokoto APC Chairman insists that attempts to form a united opposition coalition will ultimately fail.
