The 2023 presidential contenders Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party together with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have declared their intention to join an opposition alliance to run against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
During a news conference on Thursday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the former vice president affirmed this while answering a question on behalf of the opposition leaders.
The question of whether opposition parties should band together to overthrow President Bola Tinubu has been the subject of more and more debates lately.
Atiku has emphasised repeatedly how crucial opposition party unity is.
The 2023 PDP presidential candidate stated in his most recent comments on March 8 that he was trying to form a coalition of opposition parties to overthrow the All Progressives Congress.
Discussions among opposition groups and leaders heated up when El-Rufai switched from the APC to the SDP on March 10.
On Thursday, Atiku, joined by opposition leaders, said the meeting was the start of the alliance.
In support of Atiku’s assertion, former Anambra State Governor Obi emphasised that the coalition aimed to secure the liberty of the Nigerian people.
Nigerians would see more of the coalition tackling governance challenges, Obi said through Yunusa Tanko, Obidient Movement’s Interim National Coordinator.
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In an exclusive interview, he stated “Yes, His Excellency Peter Obi and the former Vice President are together on this. The idea of plans for a dialogue among the opposition is very important. It is established that we need to work together as a team; there’s no doubt about it, even the former Anambra State Governor himself has said it before.
“But the only thing he emphasised is that it must be based on a programme to emancipate the Nigerian people, and that is exactly what we have just started.
“Our democracy has been attacked morally, with indignity and a level of disdain. That was exactly what was shown in that particular pronouncement against the Rivers State government and we will not stand as democrats to continue witnessing such a bizarre show of power and an unacceptable level of disdain against the Nigerian people.
“So, Nigerians should expect to see this coalition, especially when it comes to the issues that affect the lives of the Nigerian people—issues like power supply, security, and the level of disdain with which our educational systems are moving. All of this will be issue-based.”
When questioned about the party, he responded, “It will be announced.”
Leaders from the ruling APC, including former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, were among those involved in the coalition but whose apologies for absence were noted.
Other opposition leaders who attended the press conference included former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, Peter Ameh, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, and Segun Showunmi, among others.
Ameh said in an exclusive interview with The Intercept that discussions regarding the coalition had gotten more intense.
However, he stated that no choice had been made as of yet about the coalition’s name or platform.
He stated “As the former Vice President mentioned, the press conference signals the birth of the coalition. The discussions have intensified, and we will continue to engage with political leaders and parties.
“As of now, we have not yet decided on the name or platform for the coalition. However, discussions are ongoing regarding both. It will be announced once we reach a conclusion and agreement.”
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As the coalition deliberations take central stage, Timothy Osadolor, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, asked party officials to maintain their flexibility.
Osadolor claimed in an interview with The Intercept that removing the APC from office in 2027 was in the best interests of the PDP and Nigeria overall.
He stated “Well, my advice to the leaders of the PDP is that they should not be too static or too rigid. They should also learn to be flexible and accommodating because they are the big brother of all the other opposition parties in this country.
“Therefore, they should be able to shift some ground to accommodate and make the coalition a major talking point.
“It is in the best interest of PDP and all Nigerians that this government is kicked into the dustbin of history.”
APC Dismisses Coalition
Atiku was only guessing, according to the APC, which has rejected the idea.
Bala Ibrahim, the APC publicity director, ridiculed Atiku for running for office again and losing, saying the governing party would not sleep over them.
Ibrahim told the former vice president to quit naming names and let the coalition members speak for themselves in an exclusive discussion with our correspondent.
He stated “Not at all, we won’t lose sleep over it. You see, there is a difference between rhetoric and action. There is a difference between ambition and realisation.
“There is a difference between reality and dream. When you come out to make speculations and name-drop in the name of collusion, you are more or less making speculations.
“Atiku should allow the actors involved to make the pronouncements themselves, rather than him mentioning their names, which they may or may not necessarily agree with.
“So, I think for Atiku, having been a serial contestant and a serial loser, he ought to know the differences that exist in these kinds of permutations.
