Nigeria’s political landscape is bracing for a seismic shift as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi begin quiet but strategic talks to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
An associate close to Atiku told “The Punch” that both leaders have learned their lessons from the 2023 election and realised they cannot go it alone against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
‘They now realise that to defeat Tinubu, they need each other,” the associate revealed.
In 2023, Atiku secured 6.9 million votes across 12 states, while Obi won 11 states and the FCT.bCombined, their vote surpassed President Tinubu’s 8.7 million, signaling the potential strength of a unified front.
The opposition surge comes as key APC figures including Nasir El-Rufai and Babachir Lawal, have publicly broken ranks with the ruling party, citing poor leadership and divisive politics. El-Rufai has since joined the Social Democratic Party, calling for a united front to dismantle APC’s hold on power.
However, the road to a grand alliance isn’t smooth. Labour Party Chairman Julius Abure has already stated LP won’t blindly join any coalition, while NNPP, ADC, and YPP insist on coalitions rooted in values, not just convenience.
The APC, on the other hand, remains confident. Dr. Lanre Adebayo Director-General of The Progressive Institute, declared:
“No opposition party has the structure or strength to defeat Tinubu in 2027.”
As both camps intensify preparations, the next two years promise a tense, dramatic prelude to what could be Nigeria’s most competitive election yet.
