Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, and a number of high-ranking members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have formally formed a coalition with the goal of running against President Bola Tinubu in the general election scheduled for 2027.
It was claimed that prominent opposition members, including Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko, made a strong appearance at the press conference on Thursday.
Other notable figures in attendance included Peter Ahmeh, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties; Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State; and Segun Showunmi, the Convenor of the Alternative.
Former Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and Abdullahi Adamu, the APC’s immediate past national chairman, were among the prominent individuals who were unable to attend but who sent apologies. They were recognized for their support of the coalition’s cause despite their absence.
This was verified by Atiku, who read the transcript of a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday and attended by a variety of political figures and leaders from throughout the nation.
When asked if the meeting was intended to launch a coalition to remove Tinubu in 2007, the former vice president Atiku replied, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”
In their earlier remarks at the news conference, Atiku and his allies urged Nigerians, particularly those in the National Assembly, to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s unlawful proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The dangerous and unconstitutional actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025, including the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the unlawful suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly, are the reason we have gathered together, Atiku stated.
Not only is this conduct illegal, but it also blatantly undermines democracy by imposing dictatorial federal control over a state administration that has been duly elected.
Our nation’s constitution and democratic institutions are being blatantly attacked, and we strongly condemn this situation and urge all Nigerians with good conscience to oppose it.
“Mr. President’s unlawful and unconstitutional declaration was most likely prompted by the long-running, pernicious political unrest in Rivers State, which resulted in the most recent Supreme Court decision.
Naturally, we expected all parties to the issue to abide by established protocols and, in good faith, to immediately implement the ruling of the nation’s top court.
“We observe that despite his opponents’ aggressive demeanor and offensive remarks, Governor Fubara showed goodwill and seemed willing to carry out the Supreme Court’s decision.
Nevertheless, instead of overcoming the conflict, the president gave in to personal favoritism and violated the oath he took before God and humanity to “do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favor, affection, or ill-will.”
“If President Tinubu had previously been able to conveniently conceal his true intentions, his broadcast to the nation on March 18, 2025, demonstrated his bias and fell well short of the expected level of behavior for his esteemed office.”
