Gale of Defections Won’t Derail Our Mission to Unseat Tinubu, APC in 2027, Boasts Atiku’s Coalition

Despite the ongoing wave of political defections across Nigeria’s political landscape, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s coalition has vowed to stay focused on its mission to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

The coalition, made up of key opposition figures including Atiku, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former SGF Babachir Lawal, has reiterated that its primary objective is to unite opposition forces in a bid to wrest power from the APC.

In a statement released by Atiku’s media team, the coalition dismissed recent defections and rumors of internal disunity as distractions that will not derail their collective resolve.

“The gale of defections is expected in a dynamic political environment, but we remain undeterred and focused. Our mission is clear — to rescue Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity, and bad governance,” the statement read.

Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, has also refuted claims that he is planning to defect to another party. His team emphasized that he remains committed to the PDP and is working to form a broad-based opposition coalition that includes but is not limited to the PDP.

“The coalition is not about personal ambitions; it is about Nigeria. Our doors are open to all political parties and individuals who share the vision of building a prosperous and united country,” the statement added.

In reaction, the National Coalition for Asiwaju Mandate (NCAM), a pro-Tinubu support group, criticized the move, describing the opposition alliance as a “coalition of expired politicians” with no clear agenda. NCAM argued that the Tinubu-led administration is on track with its reform agenda and will retain the mandate in 2027.

However, the Atiku-led coalition insists that Nigerians are ready for change and that the 2027 elections will be a defining moment in the country’s democratic journey.

As political tensions rise and alliances continue to form ahead of the next general election, all eyes remain on how the opposition will organize itself to mount a serious challenge against the incumbent government.