2027: Igboho’s warning sparks outrage, raises bigger questions for Atiku, Obi

By 3 pm on Wednesday, the co-working lounge inside a popular hotel in Abuja’s Central Business District (CBD) is alive in a quiet, controlled way; soft conversations, laptop clicks, and the low hum of people trying to stay ahead of their day

In one corner, Terna Iorfa sits still. A half-empty bottle of water rests beside him. His pen taps lightly against it; steady, almost rhythmic. He’s not just watching. He’s recognising something familiar.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard, the governance risk analyst, election forecaster and conflict tracker leans back slightly, eyes narrowing as he thinks.

“This kind of thing… it doesn’t just happen. You start hearing certain words, certain tones… and if you’ve followed Nigerian politics long enough, you know where it can lead,” Terna says.

He pauses, then continues, “I’ve seen this pattern before, and it doesn’t end well.”

A Warning Before the Race Begins

Official campaigns haven’t started. No rallies. No campaign tours. Nothing formal. But something has already entered the space.

In a widely circulated video, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, made his position unmistakably clear: “If you know that you are crazy, campaign for one Atiku or Obi in Yorubaland. No more ‘useless’ Atiku or Obi in Yorubaland.”

He urged supporters planning to campaign for opposition figures to ‘wear trainers boots’.

Igboho followed it with a strong endorsement of President Bola Tinubu: “Tinubu for second term; beyond 2027. A 100 per cent. After eight years of Asiwaju, we’ll pray for extra years. Throughout Lagos and Yorubaland, it’s for Asiwaju. We will all vote for him.”

Campaigns haven’t started. But the warning already has. Terna shakes his head slowly.

“See, the thing is… this is not about campaigning yet. This one is about setting the mood. It’s like telling people, ‘Before we even start, know where you stand.’ And in this country, people hear that kind of message,” he says, leaning forward slightly.

            From Defiance to Alignment

Five years ago, Igboho was something else entirely. At the height of insecurity in the South-West, he was loud, confrontational and, to many, a necessary voice. He challenged power, accused leaders of failing their people, and demanded something different.

“He wasn’t talking like a politician then. He was talking like someone who felt people were not being protected,” Terna says.