A coalition of opposition politicians aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections has officially been formed, following a meeting that extended from Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.

The meeting reportedly included key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, among other stakeholders.

According to a source who spoke to Daily Post on condition of anonymity, "All the leaders and stakeholders of the coalition were there, they set up committees to dot the Is and cross the Ts while preparing the way for the eventual public unveiling of the coalition. But effectively, as we speak, the coalition has been born, the conclusion meeting took place."

The formation of this coalition follows Atiku's announcement on March 20, where he revealed plans to form an opposition coalition. During that press conference in Abuja, Atiku, flanked by Obi and El-Rufai, stated that the coalition, when officially launched, would aim to remove Tinubu from power in 2027.

Controversy Over Leadership Structure

However, the coalition is already facing internal challenges. Reports had earlier suggested that Obi was offered the Vice Presidential slot during a meeting with Atiku in London, though Obi denied such claims.

Dr. Katchy Ononuju, who served as Special Adviser on Public Affairs to Peter Obi during his tenure as Anambra State governor, has strongly opposed the coalition's alleged plans to position Obi as a running mate. Ononuju described the coalition as "a mere dream that will not work."

"Coalition is just a dream, it's an idea, it's just a caucus of Atiku's friends who are trying to preempt some PDP governors who are bent on zoning the Presidency to the South," Ononuju told Daily Post. "Before going to the meeting, they are telling you that Peter will be Vice President while Atiku will be president."

Zoning Controversy

Ononuju, who is also the Director General of the Heritage Centre, a think tank focused on research into economics, politics, and opinions, emphasized that the Obidient Movement was founded out of frustration with the North's unwillingness to allow the presidency to rotate to the South.

"When I and Doyin Okupe founded the Obidient Movement, we founded it out of anger, it was in reaction to the disagreement of the North to allow the zoning to bring the Presidency to the South, and that was why we left to start the youth movement," he explained.

He further warned that the Obidient Movement would actively work against any arrangement that positions Obi as a vice-presidential candidate. "The movement will work against Peter Obi being subjected to anybody," Ononuju stated firmly.

Call for Southern Presidency

Ononuju argued that after former President Muhammadu Buhari's eight years in office representing the North, power should naturally rotate to the South. He criticized what he described as attempts to force Obi into accepting a VP position under Atiku.

"We are not against coalition but we are against a strategy to rework the old thing that was not acceptable," he said. "Let the governors make the pronouncement, forget what Atiku's problems are, this is a progression of the NLD and Atiku's Caucus members telling you that they want a coalition that would preempt the position of the governors on zoning."

As the coalition takes shape, these internal disagreements highlight the challenges facing opposition parties as they attempt to form a united front against the ruling party ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.