By Zainab Adinoyi
In a strategic bid to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have finalized a pact to unite under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), sources familiar with the discussions revealed. The agreement, concluded on Tuesday after months of clandestine negotiations, aims to consolidate opposition forces to challenge President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, according to three individuals who spoke on condition of anonymity as the decision awaits formal announcement.
The ADC, a relatively obscure party that garnered only 82,000 votes in the 2023 presidential election, has emerged as the unlikely platform for this high-profile coalition. The move signals a calculated effort by the trio to sidestep internal party rivalries and present a united front, leveraging their combined political clout and regional influence. However, the alliance faces significant hurdles, chief among them the unresolved question of who will lead the ticket as the presidential candidate—a sticking point that derailed similar efforts in previous elections.
Nigeria’s unwritten tradition of rotating power between its northern and southern regions adds complexity to the coalition’s dynamics. Atiku, a seasoned northern politician from Adamawa State, made his sixth attempt at the presidency in 2023 but lost support among southern voters, many of whom backed Obi, a popular figure from Anambra State in the southeast. Obi’s strong performance in 2023, driven by a fervent youth movement known as the “Obidient” base, has positioned him as a formidable contender, but he has previously dismissed running as Atiku’s deputy, as he did in the 2019 election under the PDP. Sources suggest that Obi’s young supporters, who view him as a transformative figure, may resist any arrangement that relegates him to a secondary role.
El-Rufai, a prominent northern leader known for his governance reforms in Kaduna and his influence within political circles, brings additional weight to the coalition. His decision to align with Atiku and Obi under the ADC marks a departure from his SDP affiliation, reflecting a pragmatic approach to counter Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC). However, El-Rufai’s role—whether as a candidate, kingmaker, or policy architect—remains unclear, adding another layer of intrigue to the alliance’s structure.
Analysts see the coalition as a bold but risky gambit. The ADC’s limited national presence and infrastructure could hinder its ability to compete with the APC’s entrenched machinery, especially in rural areas. Moreover, uniting three strong personalities with distinct political bases and ambitions will require deft negotiation to maintain cohesion. “The opposition is banking on voter discontent with economic challenges under Tinubu,” said one political observer. “But they must present a clear leader and a compelling agenda to win over Nigeria’s diverse electorate.”
As the 2027 election looms, the coalition’s next steps will be closely watched, particularly how it navigates the candidate selection process and bridges regional divides. With Nigeria’s political scene heating up, the Atiku-Obi-El-Rufai alliance under the ADC could either herald a new era of opposition unity or falter under the weight of its own ambitions.
Tags
News