2027 Coalition: This Is Not About Atiku, Obi or El-Rufai – It’s About Nigeria — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the opposition coalition taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections is not a project centered on himself, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, or Nasir El-Rufai, but a broad-based effort to rescue Nigeria’s democracy and return power to the people. Speaking through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja, Atiku emphasized that the coalition’s mission is to challenge what he described as the creeping authoritarianism and manipulation of the electoral system under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This is not an anti-Tinubu project; it is a pro-Nigeria movement. Nigerians must be the ultimate beneficiaries of this effort,” he said, urging the public and political observers to focus on the coalition’s objectives rather than speculating about a battle for its 2027 presidential ticket.

Atiku accused the APC of laying the groundwork to rig the next general election, pointing to the appointment of a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official—who previously headed the electoral body’s IT department—as APC national chairman. “This is not just any former REC. This is someone who held a strategic position in INEC’s Information Technology unit. That should worry anyone who believes in credible elections,” he stated.

He warned that the ruling party appears more interested in holding onto power by any means than in governing effectively. Atiku called for unity within the opposition, stressing that internal divisions would only serve the interests of those determined to maintain the status quo.

“Those who wish to exploit cracks within our ranks are watching. We cannot afford to give them the chance. Unity is our strength; when we stand together, it becomes difficult for anyone to sow seeds of discord,” he said. “This is not about individual leaders. It is about enabling Nigerians to recover and rebuild their nation. That is the essence of this coalition, and we must stay focused.”

His remarks come amid growing public interest in the opposition alliance and the roles prominent figures may play in it. However, Atiku urged coalition members and supporters not to get distracted by speculation or premature expectations. “It’s crucial to keep our eyes on the bigger picture and not count our chickens before they hatch,” he warned.