By: Bayero Ade
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the likelihood of a potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi posing any threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking on the matter, APC National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, responded to claims made by Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, that the combined votes of Atiku and Obi (12 million) in the 2023 election could have blocked Tinubu’s victory. Ibrahim called such an assumption misguided and unrealistic.
“It’s a failed calculation,” Ibrahim said. “You can’t simply add up the votes of two candidates and expect that to guarantee victory. Successful candidates exploit cracks in the opposition, and APC has mastered that. The simple majority rule determines the winner, provided all legal requirements are met. If this is their strategy, they are already setting themselves up for another defeat in 2027.”
He added, “The APC is ahead of the game, and we are ready to give more lessons in political strategy. In fact, we’ve established the Progressive Institute where they can learn about governance and progressivism.”
Opposition Pushes for Broader Reforms
While the APC appears confident, members of the opposition argue that a coalition alone may not suffice to unseat the ruling party. Many opposition leaders are calling for systemic electoral reforms to strengthen their chances.
Peter Obi’s spokesperson, Umar Ibrahim, confirmed that Obi is open to collaborations with anyone who shares his vision for a better Nigeria but emphasized that such alliances must go beyond power-sharing.
Similarly, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) stressed that defeating the APC will require more than an Atiku-Obi alliance.
CUPP National Secretary Peter Ahmeh noted, “Coalitions can help, but the real battle is ensuring elections are free and fair. Without credible electoral processes, even the best alliances will struggle against manipulation.”
Ahmeh also advocated for adopting a polling-unit-focused approach, similar to Ghana’s electoral system. “Votes should be cast, counted, and announced at the polling units. Eliminating the need for collation centers, which are prone to manipulation, will restore public confidence in the process.”
He concluded, “A determined electorate coupled with transparent elections is the key to success. While coalitions can ease the path, it’s the people who ultimately decide the outcome.”
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