A coalition of opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has intensified consultations toward forming a unified front to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.

The high-level meeting, convened under the aegis of the National Political Consultative Group (North), held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, brought together key political actors. However, consensus is yet to be reached on two critical fronts: the choice of political platform and the structure of the coalition.

Key Figures in Attendance

Those in attendance included:

  • Atiku Abubakar (Former Vice President)

  • Peter Obi (2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate)

  • Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (Former Rivers State Governor)

  • Mr. Babachir Lawal (Former SGF)

  • Senator Adolphus Wabara (Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees)

  • Mr. Donald Duke (Former Cross River State Governor)

  • Professor Jerry Gana (Former Minister of Information)

  • A representative of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Former Osun State Governor)

  • Select Northern political stakeholders

Tensions Flare Over Jigawa Representation

Proceedings took a dramatic turn when a dispute over representation for Jigawa State disrupted the meeting. Tensions rose after Babachir Lawal introduced a delegate to speak on behalf of the state, which was met with vehement opposition by several Jigawa delegates.

The confrontation escalated into chaos as delegates stormed the stage, rejecting what they described as imposed representation. Security operatives, including personnel from the Nigeria Police, DSS, and private security teams, quickly intervened, forming a protective cordon around key attendees like Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi.

Order was eventually restored after interventions from stakeholders. Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, alongside another delegate, was subsequently agreed upon to represent the state in ongoing discussions.

The Platform Debate

Central to the coalition’s deliberations is the choice of political platform. While some stakeholders favour forming a new party, others propose merging into an existing structure or reviving the alliance model akin to the defunct AD-APP arrangement which fielded a joint candidate.

Dr. Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), announced the group’s commitment to the coalition and its willingness to support either the registration of a new party or a merger with an existing one. Two committees were set up:

  • Platform Registration Committee, chaired by Rotimi Amaechi

  • Party Merger Committee, led by former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke

ADC Chairman's Statement Sparks Disquiet

A new twist emerged when Chief Ralphs Nwosu, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declared that the coalition had settled on the ADC as its official platform.

His announcement, however, stirred unease, particularly after Peter Obi affirmed his intention to run again on the Labour Party’s platform.

A source privy to the internal negotiations remarked:

“While Nwosu’s position may be an attempt to edge out the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which is reportedly backed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Obi’s declaration caught some stakeholders off guard. Labour Party is currently embroiled in leadership crises, and such firm public statements at this stage could complicate consensus-building.”

The source added that Obi may be positioning himself strategically to negotiate from a place of influence.

Obi: “The North Holds Nigeria’s Future”

Speaking at the event, Peter Obi emphasized Northern Nigeria's vast potential, stating that the region could be a key driver of national transformation. He attributed the region’s high insecurity to deep-rooted poverty, adding that it was time the electorate prioritized competence over ethnicity or religion.

“In the past, the North voted along religious and ethnic lines. Today, the time has come to vote for competence and capacity,” Obi said.
“Countries like Bangladesh and the Netherlands thrive agriculturally, yet Northern Nigeria has far more potential. What we lack is good governance and policy implementation.”

He also lamented the collapse of Kano’s once-thriving industries, recalling his experience in the banking sector when Kano was a hub for liquidity and commerce.

Malami, Others Call for a Rescue Platform

In a keynote address, former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, lamented the worsening security and economic situation in the north and underscored the need for a new political vehicle to restore hope and development.

ADC’s Final Push

ADC’s National Chairman, Dr. Okey Nwosu, reiterated that talks around the coalition’s structure would be finalized within the next two weeks. He affirmed that the ADC remained the preferred platform for many groups engaged in the coalition effort.

“All committees have met with stakeholders. We are confident that the final decision will be concluded soon. The ADC is ready to lead the charge in 2027,” he said in an interview with Vanguard.