Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join one party

 

Nigeria is witnessing one of its most dramatic political realignments in recent history. Opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, formerly of the PDP and Labour Party, have joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge the ruling APC and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. This surprise alliance follows months of political negotiations and is driven by a shared goal  preventing a repeat of 2023, where a divided opposition handed Tinubu the presidency with only 37 percent of the vote. Atiku and Obi had split the opposition, with Atiku receiving 29 percent and Obi 25 percent. Many believe their combined efforts could have changed the election’s outcome.

The new coalition is chaired by David Mark, former Senate President, and includes heavyweights like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, both former Tinubu allies. Mark said the ADC was born to defend Nigeria’s democracy and stop the country from sliding into one-party dominance. The PDP and LP are both dealing with internal problems, which some say were made worse by external interference. Political analyst Shehu Iliyasu observed that Atiku and Obi are applying the lessons of the last election, suggesting that they recognize the power of unity.

While official candidate announcements are months away, commentators believe Atiku may run for the presidency again with Obi as his running mate  a combination that many supporters are already praising as a potential game-changer.

The creation of the new coalition under the African Democratic Congress has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political scene. Many political observers believe that this alliance may have the best chance of defeating President Tinubu in 2027. Analyst Ben Kenneth noted that if Atiku and Obi had joined forces in the 2023 election, they likely would have beaten Tinubu. Their unity now could mark the beginning of a serious challenge to the ruling APC’s hold on power. However, not everyone agrees. Analyst Sani Hamisu believes Tinubu’s chances are even stronger now. He argues that in Africa, sitting presidents rarely lose reelection bids, especially when they have the power of incumbency on their side.

Despite the buzz, the ruling APC appears unbothered by the new coalition. Acting APC chairman Ali Bukar Dalori dismissed the ADC as a temporary movement with little grassroots support. He said most Nigerians were not even discussing the coalition, claiming its support was limited to elites in Abuja.

The opposition parties have also responded cautiously. The PDP has decided not to join the coalition, choosing instead to prepare independently for the next election. Meanwhile, the Labour Party urged its supporters to remain loyal and dismissed any suggestion of an alliance.

Whether the ADC can survive internal power struggles and stay united for the next two years remains to be seen. But for now, the emergence of this new bloc has sparked renewed hope among those eager to see a stronger challenge to President Tinubu in 2027. The political chessboard has shifted  and all eyes are now on how this unexpected alliance will play out.

See also: Nigerians React to Ben Ayade's Presidential Aspirations: 'Not a Good Fit.