By Abigail Philip David
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that any potential alliance between opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, will not be enough to prevent President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim dismissed the possibility of such a coalition posing a significant threat to the ruling party.
Reacting to statements by Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, that Atiku and Obi had learned from the last elections and would unite to challenge the APC’s “incompetent” leadership, Ibrahim said, “It is a dream gone wrong. You don’t add up the votes of losing candidates to argue they could topple the winner. Elections are about strategy and meeting legal thresholds. Tinubu’s 2027 victory is already assured.”
Ibe had claimed that the combined votes of Atiku and Obi in 2023, totaling over 12 million, were enough to have unseated Tinubu and prevented the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
However, Ibrahim dismissed this view, stating that the APC’s political strategy has always been superior. “The opposition is enmeshed in crises. They cannot present a united front, let alone threaten the APC’s dominance,” he said.
Opposition Leaders React
Atiku’s and Obi’s camps have expressed openness to collaboration but emphasized that any alliance must prioritize national interests.
Obi’s spokesperson, Umar Ibrahim, stated, “Peter Obi is committed to a better Nigeria and will collaborate with anyone sharing his vision for the country, provided the goal is not personal ambition but national progress.”
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) also weighed in, noting that while a coalition could improve the opposition’s chances, Nigeria’s future depends more on credible elections than alliances.
CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh, stressed the importance of electoral transparency. “The key to defeating the APC lies in ensuring free and fair elections, not just forming coalitions. We must eliminate fraudulent collation centers and insist that elections are decided at polling units,” he said.
Similarly, SDP National Chairman Shehu Gabam argued that the solution lies in assembling credible leaders, not just merging political parties. “People trust individuals with proven integrity, not party coalitions. Any rescue movement must be based on credibility and public trust,” he said.
APC’s Confidence
The APC remains confident in its ability to retain power in 2027. Bala Ibrahim mocked the idea of Atiku and Obi collaborating, describing them as “strange bedfellows.”
“The APC is ready to teach the opposition more lessons in progressive governance. Tinubu’s achievements will ensure their defeat, even if they unite,” he said.
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticized both Atiku and Obi for failing to collaborate in 2023, attributing Nigeria’s current struggles to their disunity.
“If they had united, Nigeria would not be in this mess. However, for 2027, any credible candidate will be better than Tinubu. If Atiku and Obi can manage their egos, they might present a viable alternative,” Osadolor stated.
The APC, however, remains unfazed, maintaining that the opposition’s internal divisions and lack of strategy make Tinubu’s re-election inevitable.
