The Leader of the National Consultative Front, Prof. Pat Utomi, has confirmed ongoing efforts to build a broad coalition aimed at defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
He described the initiative as “serious business,” highlighting growing discontent within both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Utomi revealed that several members from these major parties, along with five other political parties, are eager to join the coalition in a bid to rescue Nigeria.
“This is serious business. Nigeria is on the brink at a time of a changing global order,” he stated.
He explained that the coalition’s strategy involves engaging key influence groups within existing parties.
“The approach we now take is to focus on core influence groups within parties. In this regard, there are good people who subscribe to our values and development strategy in APC and PDP who have significant following and believe there is a better way and have reached out to us,” he said.
Regarding the political platform for the coalition, Utomi noted that discussions were ongoing, adding, “The Social Democratic Party that you have referred to is a work in progress. About five other parties are going through similar processes.”
He further emphasized that “huge numbers are getting ready to leave the APC and PDP and have been reaching out. But the core must be firmly fixed.”
When asked about how the coalition plans to accommodate the various interests within it, Utomi stressed self-sacrifice and collective decision-making as the guiding principles.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently announced plans for a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, with key opposition figures attending the event. Among those present were Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi (represented by Dr. Yunusa Tanko); former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal; ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Ogun State governorship aspirant, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Chief Peter Ameh, and Soni Monidafe.
Speaking further on Sunday, Utomi reiterated that the coalition is committed to restoring governance and political discipline in Nigeria.
The NCFront had previously announced plans to unveil a mega coalition in June, with opposition parties and discontented members of the APC intensifying consultations behind the scenes.
Discussions include key stakeholders from both the North and South, as well as defectors from the ruling party and civil society groups.
According to Utomi, many stakeholders from the North believe that Tinubu’s administration has disproportionately impacted their region and are inclined towards supporting a coalition to remove him from office.
The coalition, he said, is designed to promote a government of national unity that prioritizes the common good.
“It needs a national unity government focused on a developmental state, bringing progress to every nook and cranny of Nigeria, not egotists and narcissists looking for state capture to burnish bloated personal accounts around the world while their country slides into the economic abyss,” Utomi stated.
He also insisted that decision-making within the coalition must be collective, saying, “Another point is that leadership of the new order must be collective. No more of the Buhari or ‘Baba sope’ approach that got in the way of a collective good goal in the past iterations of rescue missions. Decisions must be made collectively. We will not be victims of groupthink anymore.”
Utomi hinted that a “collective shadow team” would be launched soon and that, where necessary, people power would be used to influence the country’s political direction.
Outlining the goals of the coalition, Utomi emphasized, “It is to make democracy work for the people and to ensure a government with a people-centred focus accelerates constitutional reforms for a better working Nigeria.
“It also aims to redeem the collapse of culture in Nigeria as well as showing by example how a disciplined political party acts, especially in how more capable and values-driven people are recruited into public life.”
He further stressed that the movement is built on self-sacrificing individuals who are committed to disciplined organization.
“The change we deserve is about a core of people who are a self-sacrificing group focused on disciplined organization to move the apparatus of cooperation and state authority.
“It is also to advance the common good in an atmosphere of freedom that is democratic, transparent and people-centred because touts and criminals abound in many parties and will take money from those in power to simulate the appearance of crisis.”
