As the 2027 general election approaches, a powerful coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gaining significant traction across Nigeria. This emerging alliance, composed of key opposition leaders and disgruntled figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is already sending shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape—and notably, unsettling the ruling party itself.
Hobnob News Nigeria investigations reveal that high-profile political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal are currently spearheading high-level coalition talks aimed at sacking Tinubu’s administration come 2027.
Joining the fray is the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralphs Okey Nwosu, further reinforcing the emerging coalition with institutional support.
One of the most significant developments in the ongoing alliance is the possibility of a joint Atiku-Obi ticket. Reports indicate that Peter Obi may deputize Atiku in the 2027 presidential election—reviving the duo’s 2019 combination under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) banner.
That year, Atiku and Obi challenged then-President Muhammadu Buhari, contesting the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to INEC, Buhari polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat the PDP ticket, which garnered 11,262,978 votes. The opposition coalition insisted the election was rigged, a claim they pursued unsuccessfully in court.
In 2023, both Atiku and Obi ran independently—Atiku under PDP and Obi for Labour Party—splitting opposition votes. Tinubu ultimately emerged victorious with 8,794,726 votes, while Atiku and Obi scored 6,984,520 and 6,101,533 respectively. Political analysts argue that if the duo had united, their combined votes might have eclipsed Tinubu’s tally, potentially altering the election’s outcome.
The growing momentum of the opposition coalition appears to be causing unease within the APC. Hobnob News gathered that the party has been forced to revise its internal strategies in response to the surging alliance.
A senior APC insider disclosed that the party has resolved to offer automatic tickets to all first-time governors to secure their loyalty and ensure continuity in 2027.
“The decision is not just about giving tickets,” the source said. “The party will stand firmly behind these governors to secure their re-election. This is a strong signal to any governor considering defecting.”
The strategy has already begun to bear fruit. According to the source, governors in opposition-controlled states like Akwa Ibom and Delta, fearing defeat, have begun aligning with APC. The source noted that in Delta, Tinubu has reportedly anointed Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo as a preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship—an intimidating prospect for the current PDP-aligned administration.
Similarly, Akwa Ibom’s political future has reportedly been influenced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s growing clout in the state. “If the governor didn’t join APC, Akpabio could flush him out in 2027,” the source claimed.
Additionally, APC has permitted state governors significant influence over National Assembly candidate selection—another move to consolidate control and discourage defections.
Despite its growing momentum, the proposed opposition coalition is already facing notable setbacks. Chief among them is the dispute over which political platform the alliance should adopt for the 2027 election.
Initial signs suggested the ADC could serve as the umbrella party. The party even amended its constitution to give equal rights to incoming members—an apparent effort to accommodate defectors like Atiku and Obi.
However, the move sparked backlash from long-standing ADC members, especially at the state level, who are reluctant to cede power or positions to new entrants. Some state-level leaders have reportedly threatened to oppose the merger if it results in loss of influence or political displacement.
The situation is further complicated by internal discord among smaller parties. Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has openly ruled out stepping down for any other candidate, making it clear he intends to contest again in 2027.
Peter Obi’s role in the coalition remains ambiguous. In a recent viral video, he declared his intention to contest the 2027 election under the Labour Party, sparking confusion over the coalition’s direction.
However, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, poured cold water on the idea of a multi-party alliance. “Labour Party is not aware of any coalition going on,” he told DAILY POST. “We are contesting the election on our own and have no plans to accommodate other political parties.”
He further emphasized that there would be no automatic ticket for any candidate, including Obi, who would have to compete in primaries like every other aspirant.
Reinforcing this stance, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, stated that Obi has not indicated any intention to serve as a running mate in the upcoming election.
“What we are seeing now are discussions and political maneuverings by individuals with shared interests,” Tanko said. “But as far as we are concerned, Peter Obi stands as a presidential candidate. He has not told anybody he will be vice to anyone.”
As the 2027 presidential election looms, Nigeria’s political terrain is rapidly shifting. The growing coalition, while promising in numbers and pedigree, faces significant hurdles—ranging from party platform disputes to conflicting ambitions among its leaders.
Meanwhile, the APC is not taking the challenge lightly. With internal restructuring and strategic incentives being offered to key power brokers, the ruling party is clearly preparing for an all-out political war.
One thing is certain: the road to 2027 promises to be turbulent, with power, loyalty, and political survival all at stake. As alliances are made and unmade, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether this coalition can hold—or collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.
