The League of Northern Democrats (LND) has formally announced its support for a growing coalition of opposition figures working to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Following an expanded general assembly held Thursday in Abuja, the LND issued a communiqué confirming its alignment with the National Opposition Coalition Group, chaired by former Senate President David Mark.
The LND described the collaboration as part of a broader “transitional political process” in preparation for the next electoral cycle.
The session was presided over by LND Chairman and former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, with 147 members and leaders present.
Dr. Umar Ardo, LND Convener, read the communiqué to the press, stating that the group was engaged in deliberations over whether to form a new political party or merge with an existing one.
“The coalition set up two subcommittees: one led by former Governor Liyel Imoke to assess the feasibility of fusing into an existing political party, and another chaired by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to consider registering a new party. I served as secretary of the subcommittee for the new party registration,” Ardo explained.
He noted that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai had proposed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a possible fusion partner, along with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“A final decision is expected on the 30th of this month. Our first preference in the LND is to register a new party, but we will support the coalition’s eventual resolution and assist with the process if the decision is to fuse into an existing party,” Ardo added.
On national matters, Ardo criticised worsening insecurity and economic hardship in Northern Nigeria, attributing much of the failure to the inaction of the region’s leaders.
He accused the 19 northern governors of showing “inertia” in addressing key challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and violence.
He also condemned the actions of lawmakers who switched parties without vacating their legislative seats, citing it as a violation of the constitution.
“Any national legislator who defects from the party that sponsored them must vacate their seat. In Delta and Kebbi states, entire assemblies defected from the PDP to the APC without consequence,” Ardo said, referencing Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution.
He warned that the LND would organize civil resistance to pressure the National Assembly into declaring such seats vacant as stipulated by law.
The group resolved to convene a larger assembly involving northern political and civil society groups to develop a unified regional agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
