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2027: Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Others Form Coalition Against Tinubu – Full Details

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3 days ago

Mar 20, 2025.

Atiku and APC members form a coalition against Tinubu ahead of 2027.
Peter Obi, Babachir Lawal, and El-Rufai among key figures present.
Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, and Abdullahi Adamu send apologies for absence.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have joined forces in a new political coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

The coalition, which includes other prominent political figures, was formally unveiled during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where Atiku confirmed the movement’s objective to unseat Tinubu.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that among the key figures in attendance were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, and the Convenor of the Alternative, Segun Showunmi. Obi was represented at the event by Yunusa Tanko.

Also associated with the movement are former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), as well as the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, whose apologies were announced at the event.

During the press briefing, the opposition leaders strongly condemned President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy. They urged the National Assembly to reject the move, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for political interference in state governance.

Atiku, speaking on behalf of the coalition, accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to subvert the democratic process by illegally suspending the Rivers State governor, deputy governor, and state assembly. He argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not grant the president powers to unilaterally remove elected state officials or dissolve democratic structures.

“This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and an imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected government,” Atiku stated.

The former vice president also criticized Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers political crisis, describing it as a calculated attempt to strengthen federal control over the state for political gain. He urged the judiciary, civil society, and Nigerians at large to resist what he called a “blatant abuse of power” and protect the country’s democracy.

The coalition leaders further called on the judiciary to intervene and strike down the proclamation, emphasizing that it poses a threat to constitutional governance. They also warned that the crisis in Rivers State could escalate tensions nationwide if not handled lawfully.

With the 2027 election on the horizon, the coalition’s formation signals a significant political realignment as opposition leaders seek to mount a formidable challenge against Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Atiku APC Members Form Coalition