Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have reportedly concluded negotiations to form a united opposition front to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
According to sources, the trio has reached a consensus to rally under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a lesser-known party.
The agreement marks a significant development, given the division among opposition leaders before the 2023 presidential election, which was widely seen as a major contributor to President Tinubu’s victory. Collectively, Atiku and Obi secured more votes than Tinubu’s 8.7 million, suggesting that a united opposition could pose a formidable challenge in 2027.
However, the alliance faces challenges, including deciding on a presidential candidate. Nigeria’s informal tradition of rotating power between the North and South may complicate the decision, given Atiku’s northern background and Obi’s strong southern support base.
The opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, are currently grappling with internal divisions and leadership tussles. Meanwhile, President Tinubu’s policies have faced heavy criticism, with Nigerians struggling with rising prices, a weaker naira, and a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
The opposition’s determination to remove the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).