Coalition Urges Atiku, Obi to Join Forces or Risk Handing Tinubu 2027 Victory

A coalition of civil society groups has issued a stark warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, urging them to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections or risk giving President Bola Tinubu a clear path to a second term.

The coalition, which includes the Save Democracy Mega Alliance and the Civil Societies Alliance, made the call during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, highlighting the dangers of a fragmented opposition.

“Running separately will only play into the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” said Dr. Ibrahim Gambo, the coalition’s National Coordinator.

“Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi must urgently begin talks on forming a broad alliance to rescue Nigeria from its current socio-economic challenges.”

The coalition warned that lessons from the 2023 elections, where a divided opposition contributed to Tinubu’s victory, must not be ignored. It also urged elder statesmen, civil society actors, and other stakeholders to intervene and facilitate dialogue between the opposition leaders.

Political analysts say the coalition’s appeal underscores the growing concern that internal divisions within Nigeria’s opposition parties could allow the APC to consolidate power further in 2027.

In addition to calling for unity, the coalition highlighted six major hurdles the opposition must overcome, including internal divisions, leadership disputes, and voter trust issues.

They emphasized that overcoming these challenges would be crucial for mounting a credible challenge against the ruling party.

The coalition’s statement has reignited discussions among political observers about potential alliances and strategies that could shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general elections