Coalition of civil society groups including the Save
Democracy Mega Alliance, SDMA, and the Civil Societies Alliance, among others,
gave this advice at a gathering in Abuja, yesterday.

The South South Coordinator of SDMA, Tony Akeni, who is one
of the signatories of the communique issued after the meeting, explained that
the gathering reached the conclusion that Atiku and Obi must unite to make an
impact in 2027.

“If the right decisions are taken by stakeholders of our
opposition political parties and electorates, we shall achieve the urgent
objective of emancipating our country through the ballot in 2027.

“If, however, leaders of the progressive opposition missed
the presidential victory in 2027 through wrong decisions, the consequences
shall be dire for our nation in countless ways.

“Fortunately, today Nigeria is blessed with two outstanding
political opposition figures, each one eminently qualified to preside over our
country as President and recover our nation to the path of greatness from 2027 forward.

“These are His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, now of the
African Democratic Congress, ADC, and His Excellency Peter Obi, currently of
the Labour Party.

“Unfortunately, however, incontestable intelligence and
outcomes of many months’ study commissioned has unveiled two barricading truths
against the hope of either Atiku or Peter Obi winning the Nigeria Presidency in
2027, if the wrong decisions are taken by one or both leaders,” he said.

He further stated that findings have shown that the current
administration was putting in place measures that will stop either Atiku or
Peter Obi from winning the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, these measures are only likely to succeed
if “they (Atiku and Obi), make the fatal, historically regrettable and
irredeemable mistake of contesting the 2027 presidential election on the
platforms of two separate or competing political parties.”