Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to form a broad political coalition comprising the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) to challenge President Bola Tinubu's bid for a second term in 2027.

Atiku made this disclosure while addressing a delegation of stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial Zone in Abuja, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba. The meeting also focused on addressing insecurity in the region and fostering unity across northern Nigeria.

During the meeting, Atiku criticized the Tinubu administration, describing it as "incompetent and inefficient" and lacking the political will to address Nigeria's mounting security challenges.

"How can leaders remain unmoved while their people are being slaughtered?" Atiku questioned. "Such indifference is the peak of irresponsibility for any political leader, anywhere in the world. I hold our current leadership accountable for the widespread insecurity plaguing our nation. There is a lack of political will."

The former Vice President recalled his experience dealing with the emergence of Boko Haram during his time in office, noting that decisive leadership had helped suppress the insurgency then.

"Let me remind you of when Boko Haram first emerged in 2002, during our time in office. The president summoned me and asked, 'Mr Vice President, what should we do about this?' It began in Yobe. I advised him to call the service chiefs and set a clear deadline: if they couldn't quell the insurgency, they should resign," Atiku explained.

"The president summoned the service chiefs, I was present, and issued firm orders. Within weeks, the insurgents in Yobe were subdued, and the threat did not resurface until after we left office."

Addressing Nigeria's security manpower shortage, Atiku proposed recruiting unemployed graduates into the police force. "We are under-policed. There simply aren't enough officers across the country, while many educated young people remain without jobs. Why not recruit them into the police force?" he suggested.

On the proposed political coalition, Atiku emphasized, "We are building a coalition involving all major political parties—the APC, PDP, and Labour Party. This is the only viable path forward to confront an incompetent and inefficient government. You have my full understanding and support."

Simon Achuba, who led the delegation, echoed Atiku's concerns about the security situation, particularly in northern Nigeria. He criticized the federal government for allegedly neglecting its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens.

"The government has done very little to ease this crisis, despite it being their responsibility," Achuba stated. "When the government fails to act decisively, it falls on northern leaders to step up. We must begin the process of internal healing and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among ourselves."

This development comes as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures seeking to form alliances to challenge the incumbent administration.