As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, several prominent political figures have been described as the “new breed” set to drive national transformation. However, a closer look at their profiles reveals that many are seasoned politicians with long-standing roles in Nigeria’s political history.
1. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar – 78 years old
A former Vice President who served from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku led Nigeria’s privatisation programme during that period. Notably, the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), built at a cost of $3.3 billion, was sold for $250 million under his watch.
2. Senator David Mark – 77 years old
A retired Brigadier General, David Mark was military governor of Niger State (1984–1986) and served in the Senate from 1999 to 2019. He was the longest-serving Senate President (2007–2015). His military career included opposition to the June 12 mandate of MKO Abiola.
3. Alhaji Sule Lamido – 76 years old
Lamido was a House of Representatives member during the Second Republic and served as Governor of Jigawa State from 2007 to 2015. He was a founding member of the original SDP but was criticised for allegedly abandoning the June 12 cause. Both he and his son have faced corruption allegations.
4. Arc Tom Ikimi – 81 years old
Former Foreign Affairs Minister under General Sani Abacha (1995–1998), Ikimi was previously the NRC national chairman during the Third Republic. His political alignment during the June 12 crisis drew heavy criticism from pro-democracy advocates.
5. Mr. Rotimi Amaechi – 60 years old
Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (1999–2007), Governor of Rivers State (2007–2015), and Minister of Transport (2015–2022). He contested the APC presidential primary in 2022 after resigning from his ministerial post.
6. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola – 68 years old
Commissioner of Works in Lagos (1999–2007), Aregbesola was Governor of Osun State (2010–2018) and later served as Minister of Interior (2019–2023). His time in office was marked by internal party conflicts and administrative controversies.
7. Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal – 59 years old
Tambuwal represented Sokoto in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015, becoming Speaker in 2011. He later served two terms as Governor of Sokoto State (2015–2023) and is currently a senator.
8. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai – 65 years old
El-Rufai became Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises in 1999 and later Minister of the FCT (2003–2007). He was Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and remains a vocal figure in national policy debates.
The Irony of “Change”
While these figures are being promoted as a new generation poised to bring change in 2027, most have played key roles in Nigeria’s political and governance landscape over the past four decades. Their return to the national stage raises questions about what “new breed” truly means in today’s political narrative.
