2027: ATIKU, OBI ABSENT AS OPPOSITION BEGINS SINGLE-CANDIDATE TALKS

Nigeria’s opposition parties have begun discussions aimed at producing a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, but two of the country’s biggest opposition figures, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, were notably absent from the meeting.

The talks are part of wider efforts by opposition political groups to build a united platform capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 presidential election.

Representatives of several opposition parties and political groups attended the meeting, where the possibility of presenting a common presidential candidate was discussed.

The push for a single candidate is driven by concerns that multiple opposition candidates could split the anti-APC vote and make it easier for the ruling party to retain power.

However, the absence of Atiku and Obi has raised questions about how realistic the unity arrangement will be.

Both politicians remain major figures within Nigeria’s opposition space and have significant political followings.

Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, while Obi ran under the Labour Party and finished third.

The two politicians have also been associated with the wider efforts to create a stronger opposition coalition ahead of 2027.

The African Democratic Congress has emerged as one of the platforms being considered by opposition politicians seeking to challenge the APC.

Supporters of the coalition believe that bringing major opposition forces together could prevent the fragmentation that has characterised previous elections.

However, disagreements over the choice of presidential candidate, party structure, zoning and political leadership remain major obstacles.

The question of who would emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate is particularly sensitive, given that both Atiku and Obi have previously expressed interest in leading Nigeria.

For the proposed alliance to succeed, opposition leaders would need to agree not only on a candidate but also on a clear structure for the coalition and how the various political interests would be accommodated.

The latest meeting therefore represents an early step in what could become a lengthy negotiation ahead of the 2027 election.

With the election approaching, the coming months are expected to reveal whether Nigeria’s opposition parties can overcome their differences and unite behind one candidate — or whether they will once again enter the presidential race divided.

Can Nigeria’s opposition successfully unite behind one presidential candidate in 2027? And who should lead the coalition — Atiku, Obi or another candidate? Share your thoughts in the comments.