2027 Elections: Atiku, Peter Obi, and El-Rufai Form Coalition to Unseat Tinubu

Published by StartSmart Nigeria

Atiku coalition 2027. In a bold political move, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced the formation of a coalition alongside Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The coalition aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

At a stakeholders’ meeting in March 2025, Atiku confirmed the opposition’s readiness to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Prominent political figures like Yunusa Tanko, Babachir Lawal, Segun Sowunmi, and Salihu Lukman were present, indicating widespread support within opposition circles.

Public Reactions and Political Undercurrents

Atiku likened the coalition to a “fast-moving train,” designed to unify Nigerians across different political backgrounds. However, skepticism has emerged. Critics claim the coalition is motivated by personal interests rather than national progress.

El-Rufai, who recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has been vocal about his disappointment with the APC. He cited poor leadership and internal decay as reasons for his departure and urged key opposition figures, including Atiku, Obi, and NNPP’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to unite.

PDP Governors Reject Merger Talks

Despite Atiku’s enthusiasm, his plans hit a major roadblock. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, outrightly rejected any merger or coalition proposals.

The forum stated:

“The PDP will not join any coalition or merger. However, the party remains open to individuals or groups willing to join its ranks to champion credible leadership in 2027.”

Bode George Blasts Coalition Plan

Elder statesman and PDP stalwart Bode George criticized the coalition, calling it “mega party, mega rubbish.” In an exclusive with StartSmart Nigeria, George emphasized that PDP should fix its internal issues rather than seeking alliances outside.

“Why abandon your house because it’s leaking? Fix it. Don’t become a tenant elsewhere,” George stated.

He also accused Atiku of selfishness and warned that repeated manipulation within party ranks could lead to failure in 2027.

Lessons from Past Political Coalitions in Nigeria

Nigeria has a long history of political coalitions and mergers:

• 1964: UPGA alliance failed against NPC dominance.
• 1979: NPN-NPP alliance succeeded in forming a majority government.
• 2003: AD and ANPP alliance failed to dislodge PDP.
• 2013: Merger of ACN, CPC, and ANPP formed the APC, which won in 2015.

These examples show that true mergers often produce better results than temporary alliances.

Can the Atiku Coalition Work?

Unlike the APC’s 2013 merger, the current opposition coalition lacks deep structural integration. Atiku’s model relies on a loose partnership, which may not generate the momentum needed to topple the APC in 2027. Furthermore, key players within PDP remain unaligned and skeptical.

Conclusion

The Atiku coalition faces significant internal and external resistance. With PDP governors distancing themselves and elder statesmen like Bode George voicing disapproval, it remains unclear if the coalition can present a formidable challenge in 2027.

For a coalition to succeed, political parties must commit beyond rhetoric—sharing ideologies, resources, and grassroots structures. Otherwise, history may repeat itself.