With the 2027 general elections fast approaching, the political landscape in Nigeria is witnessing intense realignments, as key opposition figures explore fresh alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Prominent political heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, are at the center of discussions aimed at forging a formidable coalition to wrest power from the APC.
In an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Adewole Adebayo, a former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), revealed that his party has been making strategic inroads into northern Nigeria, engaging top politicians—including el-Rufai—in discussions on potential collaboration. Adebayo’s disclosure aligns with similar reports from Alhaji Salihu Lukman, a former Deputy National Chairman (North) of the APC, who has been spearheading efforts to unite opposition forces under a single umbrella.
Lukman, in an interview with Arise News, emphasized the need for key opposition figures to set aside personal ambitions and focus on building a robust political structure capable of challenging the APC’s dominance. He urged Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, and other influential politicians to prioritize coalition-building over individual presidential aspirations.
Lukman, who recently severed ties with the APC, did not mince words in his criticism of the ruling party. He asserted that the APC has failed Nigerians, mirroring the same internal dysfunction and culture of imposition that led to the downfall of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
He called on other notable politicians—including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal—to join forces in forming a new political movement. According to him, a well-structured opposition bloc would prevent the APC from manipulating the 2027 electoral process and ensure that leadership choices are dictated by merit rather than political favoritism.
Reflecting on his time within the APC, Lukman lamented the party’s deviation from its founding principles. He accused President Bola Tinubu of perpetuating the very system of political imposition that he once fought against during the Buhari era.
“Asiwaju knew very well that we stood up against the cabal in Buhari’s presidency to ensure a level-playing field in the APC primaries, which enabled him to emerge as the party’s candidate. We expected that, once in power, he would return the party to its founding vision. Instead, a more entrenched form of imposition has taken over, reducing the APC to a mere appendage of the Presidency,” Lukman stated.
As Nigeria heads towards 2027, the political terrain is set for high-stakes maneuvering. Whether the opposition can successfully set aside personal ambitions and build a cohesive front remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain—the battle for Nigeria’s political future is already underway, and the coming months will be crucial in shaping the fate of the nation’s democracy.
PIONEER NEWS 