In what could be the most formidable opposition alliance in Nigeria’s recent political history, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed the formation of a coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Atiku made the revelation on Thursday, March 20, 2025, during a high-stakes press conference at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. He disclosed that he, alongside Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, had initiated a movement to mount a fierce challenge against Tinubu’s presidency.
The press conference, initially convened to discuss President Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, quickly turned into a political bombshell as Atiku openly acknowledged the coalition’s plans.
When asked by journalists if the emerging alliance would be the major opposition force in 2027, Atiku did not mince words.
“Yes,” he declared emphatically, signaling a major shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The announcement has set the stage for what analysts describe as a political battle royale, as opposition heavyweights close ranks to challenge Tinubu’s government.
While the finer details of the coalition remain shrouded in secrecy, insider sources confirm that high-level negotiations have been ongoing among prominent opposition figures, including former key allies of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, to forge a powerful force against the ruling APC.
Sources told SaharaReporters that discussions have involved Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai, former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, and other influential political actors. The coalition, they say, is actively considering the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its political platform, following El-Rufai’s dramatic defection from the APC to the SDP earlier this week.
Adding to the intrigue, reports suggest that fiery preacher Pastor Tunde Bakare, who contested and lost to Tinubu in the APC presidential primaries, is also gearing up to align with the SDP.
A strong presence of opposition stalwarts at the press conference further fueled speculations of a major political realignment. Attendees included:
Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP)
Segun Showunmi, convener of The Alternative Political Movement
Although Peter Obi was absent, his spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, represented him, reinforcing Obi’s commitment to the opposition’s grand plan.
Beyond merely forming a coalition, multiple sources indicate that opposition leaders are actively considering making the SDP their new political home. This move follows El-Rufai’s stunning defection and is reportedly attracting other heavyweights, including:
Peter Obi (LP, 2023 Presidential Candidate)
Yemi Osinbajo (Former Vice President and key figure in Buhari’s administration)
Abubakar Malami (Former Attorney General of the Federation)
With these figures once on opposite sides of the political spectrum, their sudden realignment signals a new era of strategic opposition politics, aimed at dismantling the APC’s stronghold ahead of 2027.
This coalition, if successful, could drastically reshape Nigeria’s political future, posing the strongest challenge yet to Tinubu’s presidency. While APC remains formidable, cracks within the ruling party and growing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s policies could give the opposition the leverage it needs.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the nation braces for a high-stakes political showdown, where alliances will be tested, betrayals will unfold, and the fight for power will reach unprecedented intensity.
Will this coalition hold, or will personal ambitions and ideological differences tear it apart? The battle for 2027 has officially begun.
PIONEER NEWS 