Some change advocates aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 have called for a strong alliance among the major opposition political parties in Nigeria. This follows recent denials by Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that any merger talks are underway.
Earlier reports suggested that Kwankwaso, Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had agreed to an alliance against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The alleged deal included a power-sharing arrangement, with Kwankwaso and Atiku serving four years each as president, and Obi taking over for eight years.
However, in an interview with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims, emphasizing the need for the public to choose leaders rather than rely on decisions made by self-appointed northern elites. Similarly, Obi denied any merger deal at a press conference in Abuja, though he urged patriotic Nigerians and opposition parties to unite in 2027 to challenge the Tinubu administration.
Opposition Members Call for Unity
A PDP chieftain from Benue South, Mathias Adache, emphasized that a change in government could only be achieved through a formidable coalition among the PDP, LP, and NNPP.
“There’s no way PDP or Labour Party can defeat Tinubu in 2027 if they don’t come together. They tried individually in 2023, but it didn’t work. What magic do they want to do in 2027?” Adache stated.
He added that greed and selfish interests among politicians have hindered progress, urging figures like Atiku to focus on uniting opposition parties instead of seeking another presidential run.
“The ruling party’s greatest fear is a united opposition. Without the alliance that formed the APC in 2015, they wouldn’t have defeated former President Jonathan. The PDP, LP, and NNPP need to replicate that strategy,” Adache said.
Division Led to Tinubu’s Victory in 2023
Labour Party chieftain Henry Ternenge attributed Tinubu’s 2023 victory to the disunity among opposition parties.
“In 2023, Atiku scored 6.9 million votes, Peter Obi got 6.1 million votes, and Kwankwaso scored 1.4 million votes, while Tinubu got 8.7 million votes. This shows that Tinubu didn’t win the majority of votes cast. The divided opposition allowed him to emerge victorious,” Ternenge explained.
He further stressed the need for a two-party system, suggesting that such a structure would have prevented Tinubu’s victory in 2023 and could ensure a stronger challenge in 2027.
Labour Party Declares No Automatic Ticket for Obi
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has made it clear that Peter Obi will not receive an automatic ticket for the 2027 presidential election. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, stated on Saturday that all positions, including the presidential ticket, are open for contest.
“No political party gives automatic tickets. All positions are up for contest,” Ifoh said.
This statement signals a shift within the LP, as Obi had been its flagbearer in 2023 after defecting from the PDP.
As the 2027 elections approach, the opposition’s ability to challenge APC dominance may depend on their willingness to form a united front. However, internal party dynamics, power struggles, and differing political ambitions continue to pose significant challenges to such an alliance.
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