Momentum is building behind a growing coalition aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, as talks among opposition leaders intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Central to ongoing negotiations is a proposal for the coalition to back a southern presidential candidate committed to serving only a single term.It is understood that northern stakeholders are advocating for this strategy, with pressure mounting on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside in favour of a southern aspirant.
“There are numerous concerns among all stakeholders involved in the coalition negotiations, with the North-South issue being the primary concern,” a source privy to the talks disclosed.
“Most of us understand that if we field a competent and credible southern candidate, defeating President Tinubu would be much easier. Therefore, many stakeholders, especially those from the North, are urging Atiku to step down and allow the coalition to support a southern candidate who will serve a single term if elected. In fact, some of these stakeholders are insisting that any southern aspirant the coalition will support must agree to a single-term commitment.”
Meanwhile, sources indicate that there are internal disputes within the coalition particularly over zoning and personal ambitions of key stakeholders. This, the insiders said, has delayed concrete agreements.
“These issues are emerging, but we are committed to addressing them as they arise and accommodating the many Nigerians who are fed up with the APC’s maladministration,” the coalition source added. “Our goal is to ensure a fair process that represents the interests of the people and strengthens the unity of the coalition.”
When contacted, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, confirmed that a single-term agreement is among the proposals under consideration.
“The signing of a single-term agreement by a southerner is part of what is on the table, but this has not been concluded yet. It has not reached a conclusion,” Ahmeh said in an interview. “Peter Obi and some other southern aspirants are involved. I believe that the decision will be reached in the next few weeks.”
He continued, “There are many options on the table. People are bringing different permutations, but the fact still remains that you can’t put the cart before the horse. As soon as the agreement is reached, we will communicate it to the public.”
Ahmeh also compared the current wave of opposition to the movement that ousted former President Goodluck Jonathan, stating, “It is very obvious that more Nigerians have realised that this government is doing us more harm than good. So, quite a lot of Nigerians are joining the coalition. There are more opposition forces against this government than there were against former President Jonathan in 2014.”
He urged stakeholders to remain united, adding, “I urge all coalition stakeholders and other opposition leaders to sustain this commitment so that we can come together to rescue this country from the failed APC.”Meanwhile, Atiku through his media aide, Paul Ibe, urged caution amid the flurry of speculation surrounding the coalition’s internal deliberations.
“The agreement must be between the stakeholders, and we cannot speculate about it because discussions are still ongoing. We don’t need to reach conclusions while discussions are still ongoing. Once an agreement is reached, it will be binding, but until then, we must refrain from drawing conclusions about the ongoing process,” Ibe stated.
“Yes, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar is committed. What’s important for him is not to put the cart before the horse. His Excellency, like other leaders, believes that the only way to remove those who don’t mean well for our people and our country is by having a strong, united coalition.”“That coalition must be robust and strong enough to push forward. That is what they are working towards, and it is the most important goal, above all else,” he added.
Also speaking, SDP National Chairman Shehu Gabam confirmed that consultations are ongoing nationwide.
“I am not in a position to say anything now. I can’t tell you what we intend to do and how far we have gone, consultation is ongoing,” he said. “We are doing more consultations. When we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it. But our consultations are ongoing nationwide. I am not going to disclose who is involved in the consultation and other details.”
It can be recalled that on March 20, Atiku, alongside Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, declared the formation of a coalition aimed at removing Tinubu from office. The development, it is understood followed weeks of high-level consultations and key political realignments, including El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10.
