As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, have shifted their focus from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the potential platform for a united political front.

Sources close to the coalition talks told DAILY GAZETTE that the decision to abandon the SDP followed concerns about the party’s growing internal instability and alleged infiltration by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The coalition leaders viewed the SDP as compromised and unsuitable for the scale of their planned political realignment.

“The Social Democratic Party was part of the plans before now, but it seems the ruling APC has also infiltrated the party. So, they are tilting towards the ADC.” a senior member of the coalition disclosed.

Talks within the coalition have intensified over the past few months, with stakeholders agreeing on the need for a “clean, credible, and ideologically aligned” platform.

The ADC, which recently announced the onboarding of 21 former national chairmen of deregistered parties, is now being positioned as the anchor for a new mega party.

The former PDP and Labour Party candidates, Atiku and Obi respectively, are said to be finalizing terms of a one-term power rotation deal, with Atiku reportedly agreeing to serve just four years before handing over to Obi.

Although not yet officially confirmed, insiders insist that both leaders are seriously considering the ADC as their new political home should reconciliation efforts within the PDP and LP collapse.

ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, confirmed that his party is in active talks with key figures in the opposition.

“The ADC leadership has held conversations with all major stakeholders in the coalition drive and even people in government,” Nwosu said, adding that the party was committed to building “a mega African political party”.

He also hinted at an imminent announcement:
“We are meeting frequently, and by the grace of God, before the end of this week, we will announce some of the recent developments to the entire world.”

While coalition negotiations continue, the PDP and LP remain embroiled in legal and leadership crises, further weakening their ability to stand alone in 2027.

Despite some resistance from within their former parties, Atiku and Obi reportedly believe the moment calls for sacrifice and unity.

“The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu,” a coalition member said.

“So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this.”

Amid growing discussions around a united opposition front for the 2027 general election, there are strong indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, a vice-presidential position on a one-term ticket.

Multiple sources close to the ongoing coalition negotiations revealed to DAILY GAZETTE that the proposal was tabled during a private meeting between Atiku and Obi earlier this year in the United Kingdom.

The plan reportedly involves Atiku running for president for a single four-year term, after which he would hand over to Obi.

According to insiders, Peter Obi has tentatively agreed to the arrangement but is currently consulting with his core supporters.

The two politicians have a history of collaboration.

In 2019, Obi was Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although they were ultimately defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

On March 20, Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others unveiled a coalition in Abuja aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

While this move sparked intense political discourse, both PDP and LP are grappling with internal turmoil.

One party insider told DAILY GAZETTE “You know that by this time next year, by May 2026, almost all parties would have unveiled their presidential candidates for the 2027 elections.”

“So, the coalition move is mindful of that.
The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu. So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this.”

“Atiku and Obi met earlier this year in the UK. That was where Atiku first mooted the idea of a coalition and urged Obi to be his running mate. Obi then asked for time to think it over and consult his loyalists.”

“But recent developments show that Obi has accepted to be Atiku’s running mate, and Atiku has also agreed to serve a single four-year term and hand over to the former Anambra State governor.”

“They have both agreed to sign a written agreement if necessary. Obi is trying to get the buy-in of his loyalists before this is formally announced.”

As for the political platform they might use, given ongoing issues within PDP and LP, sources say the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a strong contender.

“The crisis in PDP and LP is frustrating. While they are both making efforts and waiting to see if the crisis can be resolved in favour of their camps, they are both looking at possible political parties to run on.”

“The Social Democratic Party was part of the plans before now, but it seems the ruling APC has also infiltrated the party.”

“So, they are tilting towards the ADC. As a matter of fact, some of the loyalists have been meeting with the ADC leadership, and others have quietly joined the party. So, if things do not favour them in LP and PDP, they may join ADC.”

When contacted, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, confirmed the ongoing coalition discussions but declined to comment on the specific terms of the alliance.

“I know that His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have been talking about the coalition. I cannot speak on the specific agreement they have reached.”

“All I can tell you is that both of them are focused on ensuring that they build a viable coalition that will be robust enough to accommodate diverse Nigerians to unseat the clueless APC government in 2027.”

Peter Ahmeh, a Labour Party loyalist and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, declined to confirm the single-term arrangement but emphasized efforts to resolve LP’s internal conflicts.

“No comment on this one, until I speak with my oga,” he said.

“My position on this remains that, for us to defeat the APC, we must follow the rules of engagement so we don’t allow Tinubu to become the landlord in the southern part of Nigeria when we have somebody who can defeat him effortlessly.”

“We are in the LP as we speak, and that is the option available to accommodate everyone because you cannot sleep in a hostile environment and expect to succeed.”

“We know there were hostile conditions created to undermine Peter Obi, but he is still in the Labour Party and is committed to making sure we get the APC out of government in 2027.”

“As for the LP, the Supreme Court has spoken, and Abure’s term has elapsed. So, they can’t put something on nothing and expect it to stand. LP will survive.”

Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, said there is no formal agreement on a joint Atiku-Obi ticket at this time.

“As far as I am concerned, after I met with him in Benin, there was nothing of this nature on the table. He has not shared with me any of this particular issue. Neither has he called nor talked to me about it. In fact, not too long ago, I just spoke with him.”

“So, there is nothing, as far as I am concerned, to confirm that such a discussion is on the table at the moment.”

ADC National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu confirmed that discussions with various political actors, including members of the current government, are ongoing.

“The ADC leadership has held conversations with all major stakeholders in the coalition drive and even people in government, that is, even people in the APC.”

“And they are all committed to building a mega African political party. So, we have spoken with all critical stakeholders. So, the stakeholders are all working together on this.”

He added, “We are part of the move. We have been working to give Nigerians a democracy that will improve their lives from the beginning. And within the last 10 years, about 21 national parties that have been deregistered have joined us in ADC. So, they all identified with our party.”

“Currently, we are involved in coalition talks with all critical stakeholders. And we are meeting frequently, and by the grace of God, before the end of this week, we will announce some of the recent developments to the entire world.”

“The Nigeria project is not local. Nigeria is critical to Africa. And that is why ADC is determined to bring about good leadership to rescue Africa, not just Nigeria.”

However, not all reactions have been supportive.

PDP NEC member, Diran Odeyemi criticized Atiku’s repeated presidential ambitions, urging him to step aside.

“The truth is that Atiku cannot get the Presidential ticket of the PDP in 2027,” he stated.

“I am not sure he will get the ticket from any serious political party. If he is already offering Peter Obi the vice presidential slot, it is possible he has already pencilled some names down for ministerial positions. How can you offer what you don’t have?”

“Atiku is not Abraham Lincoln. He should rest because I don’t see how he will realise his selfish ambition. His desperation is what has left the PDP where it is today.”

In contrast, Anthony Sani, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, said another Atiku-Obi alliance wouldn’t be surprising.

“Such arrangement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would surprise no one, especially when regard is paid to the fact that the duo was on the same team in PDP in 2019, albeit the team did not prevail in the elections.”

“Whether the arrangement would have more traction this time around is for time to tell, given the strengthening of the political alliance between North-West and South-West, both of which are number one and number two in number of registered voters.”

“What is more, the All Progressives Congress is making some significant inroads in the South-South. As I always say, all these are democracy in actions which should stun no one,” he observed.

President Bola Tinubu, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi had a brief but notable interaction at the Vatican on Sunday during the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV.

The moment, which sparked social media reactions after it was shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, occurred during the high-profile religious event attended by global dignitaries.

According to Onanuga’s post on X, Fayemi first noticed Tinubu seated among other international leaders and encouraged Obi to accompany him in greeting the Nigerian President.

“Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed,” he wrote.

As they approached, Fayemi made a friendly remark to lighten the moment, saying, “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”

In response, Tinubu offered a playful comeback: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the head of the Nigerian delegation.”

Obi joined in the exchange with a chuckle, replying, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”

The scene carried symbolic weight given the intense rivalry between Tinubu and Obi during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, which ended in Tinubu’s victory under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Both Obi and Fayemi are devout Catholics and hold the distinction of being Papal Knights, an honour awarded by the Vatican to members recognized for their service to the Church.

Veteran politician and elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has stated that, as things stand, President Bola Tinubu faces no significant challenger ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In an interview granted to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Yakasai addressed speculation regarding northern support for a future candidate. He emphasized that no official decision has been taken by the region’s leadership.

“I haven’t heard anybody making any proposition about the 2027 presidential election from Arewa Consultative Forum,” he said.

“What is tagged the Arewa Consultative Forum or Northern Elders Forum’s position is mere individual opinions, because all sections of the north have not taken a stand on this.”

According to Yakasai, discussions surrounding a consensus northern candidate are currently premature, as there has been no collective meeting or endorsement from northern leaders.

Commenting on Tinubu’s political strength, he noted that the president remains a dominant figure in the Nigerian political space.

“In Nigeria today, Bola Tinubu is the president. He has his ministers and governors who are backing him,” he said.

“Who else has all what it takes to move into the contest with the kind of stamina and strength to be more successful comparatively with Tinubu?”

Yakasai added that even some governors from opposition parties are aligned with Tinubu, a factor he believes could influence the political landscape in 2027.

“We should all wait and see if the picture will change drastically, otherwise for now, the odds are in his (Tinubu’s) favour because I have not seen anything that will prevent him from winning the next election,” he added.

He dismissed concerns that Tinubu might be losing ground in the north.

“He hasn’t done anything against the north in my understanding and the north alone cannot decide who becomes the president of the country,” Yakasai said.

He also pointed to internal issues within opposition parties, saying their internal conflicts have weakened them and diminished their chances in the next general election.

Looking beyond electoral strategy, Yakasai called on politicians to prioritize ideology and national vision over personal ambition.

“Our politicians should see politics as a dynamic game and what I will advise is for them to play the game on the basis of ideology and programmes,” he said.

“Let them envision the way they want the country to be and not targeting to be ministers, governors and president.”

Yakasai also cautioned against the use of ethnic and religious politics, which he said has hindered Nigeria’s growth.

“After becoming all these and nothing is done in the interest of the country, we will not get better.”

“They should eschew politics of ethnicity and religion because not making our country the focal point of our politics has held us down for so long,” he said.

Nearing his 100th birthday this December, Yakasai attributed his longevity to both divine grace and family genes.

“My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are more than 80 and still expanding. I give glory to God for these,” he said, adding that his father lived to 107 years, while his mother was close to 100.