18/08/2025
A Political Calculus of Southeast/Igbo Presidency Under APC vs. Atiku/Obi
By AbdulAziz Na’ibi Abubakar
Sen. Dave Umahi’s assertion that the Southeast must back President Bola Tinubu to secure a future Igbo presidency prompts a political and probabilistic analysis. Let’s dissect the likelihood of an Igbo presidency under the APC versus an Atiku Abubakar/Peter Obi ticket, framed as a mathematical exercise in power dynamics.
Problem 1: Probability of Southeast/Igbo Presidency Under APC. If the Southeast supports Tinubu in 2027, he completes his term by 2031. Nigeria’s unwritten power-sharing norm would then favor the North for 2031–2039, with the vice presidency likely returning to the Southwest to cement APC’s regional strongholds. The Southwest could reclaim the presidency post-2039, sidelining the Southeast. The APC’s dismal 2023 Southeast performance (127,607 votes vs. Obi’s 1,960,590) and accusations of Igbo marginalization, evident in skewed appointments and exclusion from key bodies like the 2025 Census committee, render an Igbo candidacy improbable. Thus, the probability,( P(APC_{Igbo}) ), = 0.000000%
Problem 2: Probability of Southeast/Igbo Presidency Under Atiku/Obi. An Atiku/Obi ticket, potentially under a unified platform like the ADC, capitalizes on Atiku’s Northern influence and Obi’s Southeastern dominance. Their combined 13 million votes in 2023 dwarfed Tinubu’s 8.4 million, signaling electoral potency.
If Atiku wins in 2027, Obi’s path to the presidency by 2031/2034 is clear, bolstered by the “Obidient” movement and Atiku’s history of Igbo inclusion.
The probability, ( P(Atiku/Obi_{Igbo}) ), = 99.9%
Conclusion: The APC’s entrenched Southwestern-Northern axis and neglect of Southeastern interests make an Igbo presidency a political mirage. Conversely, the Atiku/Obi ticket offers a robust, coalition-driven pathway, aligning electoral strength with Nigeria’s clamour for equity. The Southeast’s political calculus demands strategic alignment with the latter. {P(APC_{Igbo}) = 0.000000%, P(Atiku/Obi_{Igbo}) = 99.9%.