Opposition merger to unseat APC in 2027 Gains Momentum

By: Bayero Ade

The camp of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced significant progress toward a potential merger of opposition parties aimed at defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

According to Politics Nigeria, Abdulrasheed Shehu, Atiku’s special assistant on media, made the revelation via his verified Twitter handle on Friday night, declaring that the merger plan “is sealed.” According to Shehu, the alliance between key opposition figures is only a matter of time.

This development follows recent remarks by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, who strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Obi highlighted concerns about institutional corruption, economic mismanagement, rising poverty, and the nation’s growing debt burden. While he acknowledged that no formal merger agreement exists, Obi called on Nigerians across political divides to unite in challenging the APC’s dominance.

The potential coalition, however, has not been without controversy.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), recently refuted claims of any agreement with Atiku and Obi. Speaking to the media, Kwankwaso accused Atiku’s camp of misleading northern political and religious leaders by alleging a rotational presidency arrangement involving himself, Atiku, and Obi for the 2027 elections.

Despite these tensions, opposition supporters view the merger as a strategic pathway to unseat the APC.

Commenting on the prospects of such an alliance, Ismael Ahmed, a prominent APC member and former special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, acknowledged the potential threat posed by an Atiku-Obi coalition. Speaking on the Mic on Podcast, Ahmed noted that a united opposition could significantly reshape the 2027 presidential race.

As discussions around the merger continue, political analysts and Nigerians alike are closely watching to see whether opposition forces can overcome internal differences and present a united front to challenge the APC’s grip on power.