Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai Forge United Front Ahead of 2027: ADC to Anchor New Opposition Alliance?

 

After months of hushed negotiations and political recalibrations, three of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai—have reportedly sealed a deal to unite under one banner ahead of the 2027 general elections. Sources familiar with the talks say the trio have agreed to consolidate their efforts under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling a rare and powerful coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu.

Though no official statement has yet confirmed the pact, multiple insiders have revealed that Tuesday marked a turning point in the discussions that began shortly after the 2023 election. The move brings together former political rivals who many believe split the opposition vote in the last cycle, enabling Tinubu’s victory with 8.7 million votes. Combined, Atiku and Obi polled more than that—offering a tantalizing glimpse of what a united opposition could achieve.

Confirmation of the deal is bolstered by remarks from Mani Ahmed, Chairman of the ADC’s Board of Trustees, who recently declared the party as the coalition’s emerging platform. “What remains is merely dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s,” he said during a press conference, hinting at imminent formalization.

Neither the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which Atiku still represents, nor the Labour Party, where Obi remains a major player, have confirmed a merger. Spokespersons for both camps acknowledged their leaders' involvement in coalition discussions, while distancing the official party structures from any binding agreement. The Social Democratic Party (SDP), which El-Rufai has ties to, has remained silent on the matter.

Despite this milestone, thorny questions remain—chief among them, who will emerge as the presidential candidate. Nigeria’s unwritten zoning convention, which seeks to balance power between North and South, adds a layer of complexity. Atiku, hailing from the North, may face resistance from southern voters who rallied behind Obi, the former Anambra State governor and a prominent figure in the South-East.

Internal rifts across the opposition spectrum could also jeopardize the coalition’s long-term viability. The PDP is embroiled in a messy leadership dispute, fractured between Atiku loyalists, Minister Nyesom Wike’s faction, and supporters of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Labour is similarly strained. Obi has publicly clashed with Labour Party Chairman Julius Abure, leading to the suspension of several of Obi’s allies and further splintering the movement.

While the opposition navigates internal turbulence, Tinubu’s administration faces mounting pressure. Harsh economic realities have tested public patience, with critics blasting the president’s handling of critical reforms. His swift removal of fuel subsidies and unification of exchange rates, done without visible safety nets, has fueled inflation and intensified hardship for millions.

Soaring prices and a weakening naira have fanned discontent, providing fertile ground for the opposition to rally disillusioned Nigerians. For many voters, 2027 is already shaping up as a referendum not just on Tinubu’s performance but on the ability of once-divided challengers to present a credible, cohesive alternative.

As Nigeria enters another politically charged period, the alliance between Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai may prove a decisive force—provided it survives the coming battles over leadership, structure, and strategy. Whether this coalition endures or crumbles under its own contradictions will likely shape the next chapter of Nigeria’s democratic experiment.