Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and a perennial presidential candidate, is currently dominating political headlines in Nigeria, primarily for his pivotal role in spearheading a significant opposition coalition designed to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The overarching theme of recent news surrounding Atiku is his relentless drive to consolidate opposition forces and present a united front, a strategy many believe is crucial for any meaningful challenge to the incumbent government.
The most electrifying development, sending ripples across the Nigerian political landscape, is the recent formation of a grand opposition alliance under the umbrella of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This strategic merger, which came to public light just days ago in early July 2025, sees the unlikely union of political heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar (formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) and Peter Obi (formerly of the Labour Party, LP), alongside other influential figures such as former Senate President David Mark and even former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who was previously aligned with the APC.
This unprecedented convergence aims to rectify the fragmented opposition vote that ultimately favored President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections. Analysts are quick to draw parallels to the successful coalition that dethroned the PDP in 2015 after 16 years in power, recognizing the potential of a unified front. The ADC’s interim chairman, David Mark, has explicitly stated the coalition’s objective: to prevent Nigeria from sliding into a one-party state, a concern that has been amplified by the perceived efforts of the ruling party to draw high-profile defections from the opposition.
This push for unity is not a sudden whim but the culmination of months of behind-the-scenes discussions and strategic planning among opposition leaders. Atiku, a seasoned politician with extensive networks, has been instrumental in fostering these dialogues. His media office has actively championed the idea of a broad-based coalition as the most viable path to addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges, particularly the severe economic hardships and cost-of-living crisis currently gripping the nation.
Reports indicate his ongoing engagements with various political actors, underscoring his commitment to this grand alliance.
Beyond the coalition, Atiku’s recent activities also include addressing what his camp perceives as attempts to undermine his political standing.
Notably, there were recent, though quickly refuted, claims circulating regarding his traditional title as the “Waziri of Adamawa.” His aides swiftly clarified that such reports were baseless and a deliberate attempt to discredit him, reaffirming his continued holding of the esteemed title.
Furthermore, Atiku’s media team has been proactive in countering what they described as “baseless and distracting” allegations concerning an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation.
These unsubstantiated claims reportedly linked Atiku to financial dealings involving Lagos State. The Presidency, through its Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, vehemently dismissed these allegations as “infantile” and a “transparent ploy to deflect from his political setbacks,” urging Atiku to focus on constructive contributions rather than engaging in what they termed “divisive rhetoric.”
This exchange highlights the ongoing political sparring between the opposition and the ruling party, even as the 2027 elections loom large.
While the newly formed ADC coalition appears formidable on paper, it faces significant hurdles.
The APC has largely dismissed the alliance, with some of its members referring to it as a gathering of “retired politicians without electoral value.” The internal dynamics and potential power struggles within the diverse coalition, coupled with the incumbent’s strategic advantages, will be crucial factors in determining its effectiveness.
However, for now, the prevailing narrative around Atiku Abubakar is undeniably centered on his renewed vigor in uniting Nigeria’s fractured opposition, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested presidential election in 2027.
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