In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP)’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i have finalised a coalition deal aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The alliance, months in the making, will operate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant attempt to forge a united opposition platform.
The agreement, which was reached during a high-level meeting on Tuesday evening and confirmed publicly by el-Rufa’i during the Arewa TechFest in Katsina yesterday, brings together three of the most prominent opposition figures who previously ran separately in the 2023 elections. Their political division at the time was widely seen as a key factor in Tinubu’s 8.7 million-vote victory. Combined, Atiku and Obi had garnered more votes than the eventual winner, signaling that a consolidated opposition could pose a formidable challenge in the upcoming race.
“Yesterday at 8 pm, there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” El-Rufa’i announced, signaling the group’s determination to shift Nigeria’s political landscape.
The coalition’s strategy reportedly involves building a broad-based alliance that spans geopolitical zones and mobilizes support from civil society groups, technocrats, and disaffected political factions. According to sources familiar with the meeting, the decision to adopt the ADC as the coalition’s platform was finalized in the early hours of Wednesday.
Confirming the development, Chairman of the ADC’s Board of Trustees, Mani Ahmed, stated at a press conference, “I can categorically inform you that the African Democratic Congress is the coalition party in Nigeria. What remains is merely dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s”.
Despite this move, official spokespersons for both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the LP acknowledged the involvement of their candidates in coalition talks but clarified that there are no plans to merge the parties themselves. The Social Democratic Party (SDP), where el-Rufa’i is currently affiliated, has not issued a comment.
A critical challenge for the new alliance lies in choosing a consensus presidential candidate. Nigeria’s informal power rotation between the North and South complicates matters; Atiku, a northerner, may face resistance from southern voters, who largely backed Obi, a major figure from the South-East, in 2023.
Internal party conflicts also threaten to undermine the coalition’s momentum. The PDP remains embroiled in a leadership struggle between Atiku loyalists, supporters of current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a third bloc backing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Meanwhile, the Labour Party is dealing with its own turmoil, as its chairman, Julius Abure clashes with Obi over party control, resulting in the suspension of several of Obi’s allies.
Responding to the recent development, political watchers say while the coalition’s formation is a significant step toward a unified front, its long-term success will depend on its ability to navigate internal rivalries, settle on a consensus candidate, and present a coherent vision to an electorate hungry for change.
