With Nigeria's next general elections just two years away, a quiet storm is gathering within the country's political landscape. Prominent opposition figures—former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi—are reportedly putting finishing touches to a long-rumoured coalition that may radically alter the dynamics ahead of 2027.
According to insider sources and corroborated by developments from a recent high-level meeting in Katsina, the coalition is expected to unveil a new political platform before the end of June. Although discussions around the structure, leadership, and name of the movement remain tightly guarded, sources close to the negotiations confirm that consensus is being forged with remarkable speed—an uncommon feature in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, former Secretary to the State Government in Katsina and the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in the state, gave rare public insight into the initiative during a stakeholder engagement in Katsina over the weekend. Inuwa, an insider in the realignment talks, declared that the movement is not a self-serving alliance but a necessary intervention for the sake of national survival.
“We need a reliable, trusted platform to defeat this government. By God’s grace, the leadership will reach a final decision before the end of this month,” he told his supporters.
Inuwa was unsparing in his criticism of the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he accused of failing to live up to the expectations of millions of Nigerians who had hoped for renewed hope and reform.
“Nigeria has lost its voice on the continent. Even as the so-called giant of Africa, our influence is declining,” he lamented, citing Nigeria’s weakened regional leadership in ECOWAS, the rising cost of living, and the worsening insecurity in many parts of the country.
This emerging coalition is reportedly being driven by a shared sense of urgency and disillusionment with the two dominant political parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Stakeholders allege that both parties have failed to uphold internal democracy or provide visionary leadership, leaving Nigeria in a continuous state of political and economic limbo.
Inuwa cited the recently conducted Katsina local government elections as a textbook case of electoral manipulation, claiming that only government-backed candidates were cleared to contest.
“What happened in APC is no different from PDP. The same manipulation and lack of internal democracy persist. Even local elections are stage-managed,” he said.
The broader strategy of the coalition, according to sources, is to present a formidable, ideologically aligned alternative that can consolidate the growing frustration across party, ethnic, and religious lines. Observers say this may be the first time since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 that four political heavyweights with such diverse backgrounds are contemplating a single front.
While public confirmation from the likes of Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and Amaechi remains elusive, all four have in recent months intensified their criticisms of the Tinubu-led government, especially on issues of economic hardship, insecurity, and democratic backsliding.
A Fragile Alliance or a Political Earthquake?
Analysts are watching closely to see whether ideological and personal differences among these political gladiators can be overcome in time. Atiku and Obi, once running mates in the PDP, have since gone their separate ways politically, while El-Rufai and Amaechi represent strong but often opposing personalities within the APC bloc.
Nevertheless, the coming together of these men, even in exploratory talks, signals a seismic shift and a potential threat to the two-party structure that has dominated Nigerian politics for decades.
Looking Ahead
With Nigerians reeling from the economic realities of fuel subsidy removal, soaring inflation, and escalating insecurity, political watchers argue that the time may be ripe for a new movement. However, whether this coalition can rise beyond rhetoric, overcome egos, and truly build a people-centered platform remains to be seen.
As the June deadline for the unveiling of the new platform approaches, the political class—and indeed the nation—waits with bated breath.
Mohammed Bello Doka is a journalist and commentator on Nigerian political affairs. For inquiries, email [email protected]