A senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dominic Alancha, has raised concerns over a potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi, warning that such a coalition could seriously weaken the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Alancha said both leaders, if united under a single ticket, could command over 13 to 14 million votes, potentially surpassing the APC’s performance in 2023.

“If Atiku and Obi reach a consensus and run together, it will deplete our support base significantly,” Alancha said.

“They already control a large share of the electorate.”

The warning comes after a wave of high-profile opposition leaders; Atiku, Obi, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and others adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in July as their joint political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

The coalition was formed amid growing public dissatisfaction over economic issues, including inflation and a high cost of living.

Together, Obi and Atiku polled over 12 million votes in the 2023 elections, more than four million above Tinubu’s official tally.

Alancha, who also leads the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), advised President Tinubu to reconsider the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket used in 2023, arguing it could further alienate northern Christians and cost the party vital votes in a more competitive 2027 race.

“If the same religious ticket is retained, it gives the opposition a strong advantage. The coalition is not sleeping, they’re working hard,” he said.

He stressed that early preparation is key, warning that the calm atmosphere now may not last once campaigns heat up.

The APC chieftain also commented on growing speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan might stage a political comeback in 2027.

Though Jonathan has not declared any intention to run, reports suggest quiet lobbying within the PDP and parts of the North calling for his return.

“Jonathan is around the corner. Some northern groups are forming almost a cult-like movement pushing for his return,” Alancha claimed.

He cautioned that if Jonathan joins the race alongside Atiku and Obi, the APC would struggle to justify a continued reliance on the 2023 strategy.

“In a three-horse race featuring Jonathan, Atiku, and Obi, the APC must present a more balanced ticket if it wants to remain viable,” he said.

While some view Jonathan’s possible return as a stabilizing force, critics believe it could deepen the PDP’s internal crisis, especially with recent defections and leadership crisis.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the proposed salary increases for political office holders, calling the move “an affront to the suffering Nigerian people.”

The proposal, made by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), would significantly increase the pay of top government officials, including the President, Vice President, governors and others.

In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that while the RMAFC has a constitutional mandate to periodically review salaries, doing so at a time of widespread economic hardship shows a lack of empathy and connection to the realities faced by most Nigerians.

“Millions of citizens are battling with rising food prices, high fuel costs, and an inadequate minimum wage. Proposing a salary hike for political leaders now is tone-deaf and deeply insensitive,” the statement read.

While the RMAFC chairman described the current salaries of political office holders as “inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated,” the ADC argued that these officials already enjoy extensive perks, allowances, and access to opaque discretionary funds benefits that far exceed the incomes of average Nigerians.

“If their salaries are truly inadequate, how then are they able to maintain such extravagant lifestyles?” the party questioned.

The ADC highlighted the disparity between the treatment of political elites and ordinary citizens, citing the national minimum wage of N70,000, which has been largely eroded by inflation and is often unpaid in many states.

“Unlike politicians, most Nigerians receive no allowances to cushion the rising cost of living. This makes the proposed salary increase not just unfair, but morally indefensible,” Abdullahi said.

The party demanded an immediate suspension of the plan, insisting that no salary review should proceed while the majority of Nigerians are struggling with economic hardship.

“Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from citizens while shielding political elites from the consequences of poor economic policies,” the statement added.

The ADC urged the federal government to redirect its focus toward raising the minimum wage to a livable standard, ensuring prompt payment of civil servants’ salaries, and strengthening social welfare programs to support the most vulnerable populations.

“Rather than enriching those at the top, government policy should be aimed at improving the quality of life for everyday Nigerians,” the party concluded.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to its members, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stating that any actions that violate the party’s constitution could lead to sanctions.

This comes in response to Wike’s recent comments during a television interview where he denied knowledge of the party’s upcoming elective national convention scheduled for November.

Wike expressed strong reservations, claiming he had not received any formal notification from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and warned that he and his political allies would resist any form of perceived injustice.

“If there’s an elective convention, I am not aware of it. No NEC notice has been served to me and if anyone tries to play games, we’ll challenge it,” Wike stated.

In a swift response, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, rejected Wike’s assertions.

He confirmed that the NEC was properly convened, notices were duly issued, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been formally notified of the event.

Ologunagba reiterated that the national convention would hold as scheduled in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, and that all preparations were progressing smoothly.

He emphasized that while the party welcomes all members, it expects loyalty and discipline from everyone.

“A political party is a voluntary association. People are free to join or leave, but those who remain must respect the rules and constitution,” Ologunagba warned.