News Update

THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned that no alliance between opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, will be potent enough to stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The warning was issued by the APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday. Ibrahim’s remarks came in response to a statement by Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, who suggested that both Atiku and Obi had learned from the mistakes of the last general elections and would unite to oust the “incompetent and clueless” APC administration.

Ibe expressed his views during Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating that the combined votes of the two leaders, which would have totalled 12 million, should have been sufficient to prevent Tinubu’s victory and alleviate the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.

Opposition reactions to the interview have suggested that a coalition or merger could indeed defeat the APC, drawing comparisons to the 2015 election when former President Muhammadu Buhari defeated then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

When contacted, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, emphasised that Obi was committed to improving Nigeria and would be willing to collaborate with anyone who shared his vision, provided their intentions were not focused on state capture. Ibrahim stated, “This dedication stems from his unshakeable optimism in the country’s potential and his focus on the welfare and prosperity of all citizens. Regarding Paul Ibe’s statement about Atiku’s willingness to unite with Obi, it’s clear that both leaders are open to working together to save Nigeria from the APC-led administration’s tyranny. However, Obi’s commitment to collaboration isn’t limited to any particular individual or party.”

Meanwhile, opposition parties in Nigeria, under the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), have expressed concern that simply forming a coalition between the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) may not be enough to defeat the APC. They argue that a broader coalition of trustworthy leaders is needed to lead a rescue movement focused on serving the nation’s collective interest.

In an interview, CUPP National Secretary Peter Ahmeh acknowledged that a coalition could assist opposition parties in defeating the APC. However, he stressed that the key coalition needed was one focused on ensuring free and fair elections. He explained, “Our country has its ways. Atiku is a wonderful leader in Nigeria. That is very important. But the fact is there will be some sentiments that will come into play if you don’t put a person from southern Nigeria on the ballot. If you don’t do that, the idea that the northerners have taken over their eight years will now become part of the discussion across southwestern, southeastern, and South-South Nigeria.”

Ahmeh continued, “So, what we should do is believe that at the end of the day, these two leaders and other leaders will find common ground, where they will put the interest of Nigeria before their personal interests, allowing us to win this election and determine the future of Nigeria in a way that will benefit all Nigerians.”

Reacting to the possibility of a coalition between Atiku and Obi’s groups to defeat the APC, Ahmeh added that in addition to a coalition, Nigerians must demand that elections be decided and concluded at the polling unit. He stated, “Yes, a coalition can help the opposition party defeat the APC. There’s no doubt about that. It will also facilitate the easy defeat of the APC. But the most important coalition we need at this moment is one that ensures elections are free and fair. Because if we do that, even when people form a coalition, we still face the problem of draconian leadership that can cause glitches in the server or manipulate election results without proper authority behind it. The solution is that our elections should be decided by the polling unit.”

He further pointed to Ghana’s election process as an example, highlighting that votes are cast, recorded, and results announced at the polling unit level, without manipulation at centralised coalition centres. “We still believe that when the people are determined and stay true to their convictions, the electorate will go to the polling unit and make their decision. But a coalition will only facilitate and make it easier for the opposition to reach the Presidency,” he added.

However, the National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Gabam, stated that a coalition may not be the right solution at this time.