A coalition of opposition politicians aiming to unseat 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 opposition stakeholders.
"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," a source who requested anonymity told Daily Post.
"But effectively, as we speak, the coalition has been born, the conclusion meeting took place," the source added.
Former Adviser Rejects Coalition Structure
However, Dr. Katchy Ononuju, who served as Special Adviser on Public Affairs to Peter Obi during his tenure as Anambra State governor, has strongly criticized the coalition, particularly reports suggesting Obi might be offered a vice-presidential position.
"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 stated.
He further explained that the Obidient Movement, which he co-founded with Doyin Okupe, was created "out of anger" in response to northern politicians' resistance to zoning the presidency to the South.
"You haven't gotten him a ticket but you are offering him the VP slot, where is that done? That just tells you that this is a premeditated cooked up thing, it's not going to work – take it from me, we do not accept it," Ononuju emphasized.
Zoning Controversy at Heart of Disagreement
The disagreement appears centered on the issue of zoning, with Ononuju insisting that the presidency should rotate to the South after former President Muhammadu Buhari's eight years representing the North.
"We are not against coalition but we are against a strategy to rework the old thing that was not acceptable," he said, adding 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 warned, suggesting that the coalition's success hinges on respecting the principle of regional rotation in Nigeria's political system.
This development comes after Atiku Abubakar announced plans for an opposition coalition on March 20 during a press conference in Abuja, where he was joined by Obi and El-Rufai. Prior reports had suggested Obi was offered the vice-presidential slot during a meeting with Atiku in London, claims which Obi has denied.
As the coalition takes shape, these internal disagreements highlight the challenges facing opposition parties as they attempt to present a united front against President Tinubu's administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
