Opposition Groups in Talks to Form Coalition Against Tinubu for 2027 – Ex-APC Leader

Political discussions are heating up as opposition groups work on forming a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. According to Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the APC, negotiations are ongoing and nearing completion.

Coalition Plans Taking Shape

Lukman addressed recent comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who claimed that he and other opposition leaders have already formed a coalition to unseat Tinubu. During a press conference reacting to Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Atiku, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others announced their alliance for the 2027 elections.

Beyond criticizing the government’s actions in Rivers, the coalition made it clear that its goal is to remove Tinubu and the APC from power. However, reports suggest the group is facing internal disagreements, particularly over which political party to use as a platform and how to allocate key positions.

Negotiations Still in Progress

Lukman confirmed that discussions are ongoing but not yet finalized. He reassured Nigerians that once negotiations are complete, a formal announcement will provide details on the coalition’s members, strategy, and plans for the 2027 elections.

“The claim that disagreements have stalled the coalition talks is false,” Lukman stated. “Leaders have agreed that the process of selecting candidates can only proceed once a decision is made on the political party to be used.”

He also revealed that consultations are at an advanced stage, focusing on getting all parties to work together and set aside personal ambitions for the sake of a unified opposition.

Choosing a Party for the Coalition

One of the biggest challenges facing the coalition is selecting the right political party for the 2027 elections. Lukman noted that many coalition members have been engaged in this debate for over a year.

Another issue is zoning, with some leaders pushing for specific regions to get priority in candidate selection. However, he clarified that zoning discussions have not yet been formally addressed in meetings.

Challenges in Registering New Parties

Lukman also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of blocking attempts to register new political parties. Many groups within the coalition have applied for registration, but INEC has not confirmed their applications.

“For reasons best known to INEC, these applications are being stalled,” he said. “It appears that INEC is deliberately refusing to register new parties.”

To make things worse, smaller parties that failed to win any seats in the last election face the threat of deregistration. This has forced the coalition to negotiate with existing parties that still meet electoral requirements.

Political Interference and Party Crises

Lukman claimed that some opposition parties, including PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP, are being deliberately pushed into crises to weaken their chances in 2027. He suggested that political forces are working to ensure that only the APC remains in a strong position for the election.

What’s Next?

As discussions continue, Lukman assured Nigerians that the coalition will soon finalize its strategy and make an official announcement. The opposition remains committed to forming a united front against Tinubu and the APC, despite challenges along the way.