Opposition Coalition Takes Shape, Obidients Set Terms for Participation

A major opposition coalition is beginning to take shape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The coalition comes amid a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as political actors align themselves in anticipation of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Despite the current political realignments, the new coalition has attracted notable figures such as Peter Obi of the Labour Party, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, among others.

The coalition, which held a high-level meeting in Abuja under the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) North, gathered a diverse mix of political heavyweights. In attendance were Obi, El-Rufai, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kogi governor Idris Wada, LP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, PDP chieftain Adolphus Wabara, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Adamu Maina Waziri, Salihu Lukman, Senator Ben Obi, and Bolaji Abdullahi. Talks are ongoing about adopting a political party, with Ralph Okey Nwosu, chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), indicating that a decision could be made within weeks.

However, Peter Obi’s role in the coalition has sparked controversy and confusion. While Obi has maintained that he remains a member of the Labour Party and intends to run under its banner “for now,” his participation in the coalition meetings has drawn criticism from LP leadership. Obiorah Ifoh, the party’s spokesperson, described Obi’s actions as an affront and noted that the party has not authorized any coalition talks, stressing that LP will not enter any merger or alliance ahead of 2027.

Within the Obidient Movement, which has become a significant political force since the 2023 elections, there are firm conditions. Tanko Yunusa, National Coordinator of the movement, reiterated Obi’s commitment to the LP but acknowledged the ambiguity in his statements. More significantly, Katchy Ononuju, a founding member of the movement and former adviser to Obi, stated that the movement will not accept a vice-presidential position for Obi in any coalition ticket. He emphasized that the Obidients would only support a coalition if Obi leads it as the presidential candidate, insisting that his popularity and credibility are unmatched among current opposition figures.

Ononuju also warned that the coalition must address the root causes of opposition disunity, particularly the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to respect zoning principles, which led to Obi’s departure and the rise of splinter movements like NNPP. He argued that any effective opposition must rally around a popular southern candidate, and pointed to Obi as the only viable option with grassroots momentum capable of challenging the APC in 2027.

Political analyst and activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam echoed similar sentiments, describing Obi’s involvement in the coalition as a strategic move. Idam noted that while Obi remains the most popular politician in Africa, replicating his 2023 electoral performance would be difficult under the current political climate. He argued that a united coalition offers Obi his best chance at contesting effectively, given the likelihood of electoral manipulation by the ruling party.