High-profile political figures unite against Tinubu

In a major political development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined forces with key figures from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties to form a broad coalition against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

The coalition, which was formally announced during a press conference on Wednesday, includes notable figures such as Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented at the event by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal; and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Other key figures present were Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and Segun Showunmi, the Convener of The Alternative.

The coalition, according to sources, aims to present a united front against Tinubu’s administration, which they argue has failed to deliver on its economic and governance promises.

The emergence of this coalition signals a significant internal division within the APC, as several former party stalwarts are now aligning with the opposition.

While some prominent figures were physically present at the event, the coalition also received apologies from influential APC leaders, including:Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation; Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti State Governor and Abdullahi Adamu, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC.

This development suggests growing discontent within Tinubu’s own party, as many of its former leaders are now rallying against his administration.

Addressing journalists at the press conference, the coalition leaders highlighted key issues that have fueled their alliance against President Tinubu. These include:

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The group accused the Tinubu administration of mismanaging the economy, leading to worsening inflation, currency depreciation, and increasing hardship for Nigerians.

Some APC dissidents argue that the president has failed to accommodate key figures who contributed to his 2023 victory, leading to deep divisions within the ruling party.

The coalition aims to mobilize Nigerians for change, promising to present a strong, unified alternative ahead of the next election.

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The formation of this coalition could pose a significant challenge to President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, especially given that it includes heavyweight politicians from both the ruling party and opposition.

Political analysts believe that if the coalition remains united and strategic, it could pose the strongest opposition Tinubu has faced since his election in 2023.

However, internal differences and the challenge of managing multiple political interests could be potential stumbling blocks.