Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and Other Opposition Leaders Unite Ahead of 2027 Election, Set to Align Under Single Party

Nigeria’s major opposition figures—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and other prominent leaders—have agreed to join forces ahead of the 2027 general elections. Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the group has settled on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform for their united front, according to sources familiar with the talks.

While the alliance has yet to be formally announced, insiders say the deal represents an effort to prevent a repeat of the fragmented opposition strategy that contributed to President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2023. Combined, the votes secured by Atiku, Obi, and others in that election exceeded Tinubu’s winning total of 8.7 million—just 37% of the vote. Many believe a unified opposition could have shifted the outcome.

The ADC, a relatively minor party that garnered just 82,000 votes in the last election, is now poised to become the center of a broader coalition. The decision to consolidate under a single party, rather than attempt a full merger of existing opposition platforms, appears to be a strategic move aimed at creating a common front while maintaining party identities.

Spokespersons for both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party confirmed their leaders were engaging in discussions but emphasized that there are currently no plans to merge the parties themselves. The Social Democratic Party (SDP), which El-Rufai joined after leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), did not respond to requests for comment.

Since taking office, President Tinubu has faced mounting criticism over soaring inflation and a deepening cost-of-living crisis, following economic reforms meant to stimulate growth. His administration has also benefited politically from opposition defections that have helped consolidate his power base within the APC.

One of the biggest challenges facing the new coalition is choosing a presidential candidate. Nigeria’s informal power rotation between the north and south adds complexity to this decision. Atiku, a northerner, struggled in 2023 to win southern support, much of which went to Obi, a southerner. Obi has previously ruled out accepting a running mate position under Atiku, as he did in 2019, and reversing that stance could risk losing support from his youthful, loyal base.