Opposition intensifies merger plan ahead 2027

• Atiku, Tambuwal, Imoke, Ningi, others meet Obasanjo

• CPC bloc in APC to join coalition

By Chinelo Obogo

Moves to form a coalition aimed at unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections are gaining momentum. Key opposition figures have intensified moves to consolidate support.

On Monday, presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, visited former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, accompanied by former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Abdul Ningi and other associates.

Although Atiku described the visit as non-political, it is widely perceived as part of a bigger strategy to strengthen the opposition and build a formidable coalition capable of defeating the APC in 2027.

The visit comes amidst a series of strategic meetings and behind-the-scenes negotiations involving key opposition figures. Mr. Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election is also involved in the coalition talks. He recently met with former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, at his Minna, Niger State residence, further fueling speculation about a united opposition. Obi’s involvement signifies a strategic attempt to bring together various political actors across party lines to create a strong front against the ruling party.

The push for a coalition already has prominent figures involved in it, including high-ranking members of the APC. Former Minister of Steel, Kayode Fayemi, former Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, are reportedly part of the discussions. The former Kaduna State governor, in particular, has been vocal in his criticism of the APC, accusing the party of straying from its founding principles and failing to provide effective leadership. At a recent national conference in Abuja focused on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, he openly criticised his party, highlighting internal divisions and a lack of internal democracy.

When questioned about the feasibility of a coalition given the ongoing crises within the PDP and the LP, a reliable source familiar with the discussions told Daily Sun that the opposition was determined to overcome the challenges and present a united front. The source revealed that several  meetings have been held to iron out differences. The source revealed that there are plans to form a mega party that would be formidable enough to beat the APC.

However, getting Obasanjo’s buy-in may prove dicey because, in 2019, he supported Atiku when he had Obi as his running mate but in 2023, he supported Obi’s candidacy.

A former vice chairman of the PDP, Olabode George, recently revealed how prior to the PDP presidential primary for 2023, Obasanjo visited Atiku and urged him to support the South East to get the party’s presidential ticket, but the former president’s visit to his former deputy was not fruitful. Obi later left the PDP and joined the LP where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, Daily Sun has learnt that loyalists of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who joined the APC from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), are considering leaving the party. Though Buhari will remain in the APC, the potential exit of his allies would be seen as a response to growing dissatisfaction within the CPC bloc, which feels marginalised and disillusioned with the APC’s current leadership.