Former Vice President and opposition leader Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to form a coalition of opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election. Atiku, who lost to President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, believes a united front is the only way to defeat the APC and “rescue Nigeria from one-party dominance.” Atiku made the announcement during a political gathering in Abuja on March 30, 2025.
The event was attended by leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and smaller opposition groups, signaling early discussions on a possible merger or alliance. Atiku Abubakar is leading the call for unity, but key figures from the PDP, LP, and other opposition parties are also in talks. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has not officially committed to the coalition, while PDP governors are reportedly divided on whether to back Atiku’s initiative or seek their own path to power.
The opposition sees the APC as too dominant, controlling both the executive and legislative arms of government. Atiku argues that fragmented opposition votes helped Tinubu secure victory in 2023 and that a united coalition is the best chance to break APC’s hold on power. However, internal rivalries and ideological differences remain major obstacles. The proposal has sparked debate among political analysts. Some believe a coalition could give the opposition a real chance in 2027, while others argue that personal ambitions and historical distrust between PDP and LP leaders could doom the alliance before it even takes shape. APC officials have dismissed the move, calling it “a desperate attempt by serial losers to remain relevant.”
While most reports focus on Atiku’s push for unity, the real question is whether Nigeria’s opposition can truly set aside personal interests for the greater goal of defeating APC. Past attempts at political mergers have been plagued by infighting, and many Nigerians remain skeptical that politicians known for switching parties can build a stable, issue-based coalition. Moreover, the APC’s strong grip on state resources and political structures means that even a united opposition faces an uphill battle. If Atiku and other opposition leaders fail to present a clear, compelling alternative to APC beyond just removing Tinubu, their coalition might end up being another elite-driven project with little grassroots momentum.
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