Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, key opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, are intensifying efforts to win the support of influential northern leaders.
In a closed-door meeting convened by the National Political Consultative Group (North) at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Sunday, the coalition discussed strategies to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Among those in attendance were prominent figures such as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The coalition, announced on March 20 in Abuja, includes Atiku, Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. It has sparked debates about the viability of a united opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
Delegates from across Nigeria, particularly the 19 northern states, joined the meeting to deliberate on critical national issues, including security, poverty, and governance.
Tensions briefly flared during the meeting when delegates from Jigawa State protested their representation, leading to a disruption. Security personnel stepped in to restore calm, allowing the meeting to proceed.
Reliable sources revealed that discussions centered on the worsening economic and security challenges in northern Nigeria under the current administration. Leaders emphasized the need for competent governance and urged northern stakeholders to support an alternative coalition.
In their remarks, Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi criticized the Tinubu administration’s policies, claiming they have exacerbated poverty and insecurity in the North. The coalition leaders called for unity among northern leaders and urged them to rally behind the opposition’s efforts to ensure a change in leadership come 2027.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to form four committees to address pressing issues and release a formal communiqué. According to the National Secretary of the Coalition for United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, the discussions aimed to propose actionable solutions to the challenges facing the North.
The coalition’s next steps will be closely watched as it seeks to position itself as a formidable force in the 2027 presidential race.
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