A coalition of major opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been officially announced. The alliance aims to present a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
The announcement was made at a press briefing held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where Atiku confirmed the development. He emphasized the urgency of a united opposition to strengthen democracy and provide an alternative to the current administration.
Atiku has been vocal about the need for collaboration among opposition parties. His calls for unity intensified following El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10, which further encouraged dialogue among key political figures.
During the press conference, Atiku stated, “Yes, this marks the birth of a strong opposition coalition ahead of 2027.”
Peter Obi, represented by Yunusa Tanko, the Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, echoed similar sentiments. He emphasized that the coalition’s focus is on empowering and liberating Nigerians, addressing pressing governance issues, and restoring public confidence in leadership.
Tanko, in an interview with The PUNCH, affirmed Obi’s commitment to the coalition. He said, “Yes, His Excellency Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku are aligned on this. Dialogue among opposition parties is crucial, and we have realized the need to work as a team.”
The coalition aims to tackle critical national concerns, including:
- Security challenges across the country
- Power supply and infrastructural development
- Education reform to address the deteriorating system
- Governance accountability and the rule of law
Tanko criticized recent political developments, including the crisis in Rivers State, stating that such events threaten democracy. He stressed, “Our democracy is under attack, and we cannot sit idly while the system is manipulated.”
When asked about the coalition’s political party affiliation, Tanko responded, “That will be announced soon.”
Several prominent opposition leaders attended the event, including:
- Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation
- Peter Ameh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP)
- Segun Showunmi, Convener of The Alternative
Former APC leaders such as Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State), and ex-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu also expressed support for the coalition, although they were absent from the press conference.
Peter Ameh revealed that while discussions had progressed significantly, no final decisions had been made on the coalition’s name or political platform. He said, “The formation of this coalition is now in motion. Talks are ongoing with political leaders, and we will soon finalize key details.”
PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, emphasized the importance of flexibility in coalition-building. He urged PDP leaders to be open to collaboration, saying, “For the sake of Nigeria, the PDP must work towards removing APC in 2027.”
Osadolor added, “This coalition benefits all Nigerians. PDP must be accommodating, as it remains the leading opposition party. It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that APC’s rule is ended in 2027.”
