Growing Opposition Unity: Peter Obi Engages Key Political Players as Coalition Talks Accelerate Ahead of 2027 Presidential Race

 

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, continues to make calculated moves on the Nigerian political chessboard. On Tuesday, he held a private meeting with Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The meeting, which took place behind closed doors in Abuja, is fueling fresh speculation about a growing effort to unite political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi’s visit to Malami’s office comes less than 24 hours after he met with former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, at the latter’s residence in Asokoro. These back-to-back engagements are being viewed as part of a strategic consultation campaign aimed at forming a formidable political coalition that can mount a serious challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The idea of a united front among Nigeria’s opposition parties has gained considerable traction since the 2023 general elections. That poll saw Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC clinch the presidency with 8.8 million votes, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party came in second and third, respectively. Analysts have often pointed to the split in the opposition vote as a critical factor that cleared the way for Tinubu’s victory.

Obi’s latest political outreach is not occurring in isolation. There are increasing reports of high-level talks involving other heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. These individuals, each commanding substantial regional and national influence, are being linked to the proposed coalition framework.

Political observers are paying close attention to Obi’s moves. His meeting with Malami, a figure deeply connected to Nigeria’s legal and political machinery, suggests a broader intention to build bridges across traditional party and ideological lines. Malami, who served as the nation's top legal officer for eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari, remains a significant figure in northern political circles.

The former Anambra State governor’s dialogue with Shekarau also fits this pattern. A two-time Kano State governor and former education minister, Shekarau enjoys considerable support in the North and has previously aligned with both the APC and PDP. His influence among northern voters could be pivotal in any future political reconfiguration.

There is growing consensus among civil society organizations and political commentators that the opposition needs to abandon its fragmented posture if it hopes to effectively counter the APC’s hold on power. Calls for unity have intensified over the past year, particularly as economic and security concerns continue to mount across the country.

Sources close to the Obi camp reveal that these meetings are part of a deliberate and ongoing consultation process that aims to identify common ground among major opposition players. While no formal announcements have been made regarding a coalition structure, the frequency and profile of Obi’s engagements signal that a significant political shift may be underway.

Some analysts caution that while the notion of a mega coalition is appealing, actualizing it will require navigating deep-rooted rivalries, policy disagreements, and personal ambitions. Yet, there is also a growing sentiment that the urgency of Nigeria’s challenges may compel key actors to prioritize national interest over political ego.

A senior political analyst, speaking under condition of anonymity, noted that “what Obi appears to be doing is stitching together a new political fabric that cuts across former enemies and disparate ideologies. If he succeeds, the 2027 race could be entirely different from what we’ve seen before.”

As Nigeria continues its complex journey toward democratic consolidation, the moves of key political figures such as Peter Obi may ultimately define the contours of the next presidential contest. The days ahead are likely to bring more such meetings, more realignments, and potentially, the emergence of a new political force with enough momentum to reshape the nation's political future.