The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the newly-formed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party urges leaders of the emerging coalition, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, to return to their original political parties rather than pursue what it describes as an opportunistic alliance. This response comes after a series of consultations among opposition figures aimed at establishing a unified front for the upcoming elections.
According to a report from The Nation, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, criticized the coalition initiative, accusing it of lacking genuine commitment to Nigeria’s national interest. He further stated that such a coalition would ultimately fail, asserting that “President Tinubu is the grandmaster of coalitions,” pointing to his historical role in uniting major political blocs to oust the military from power. Basiru also emphasized that the APC, as the first party to successfully merge major political parties into a national congress, has a deep understanding of alliance-building.
The APC’s rejection of the coalition comes on the heels of a crucial opposition meeting in Abuja, where leaders reportedly agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their official platform for the 2027 elections. The decision followed weeks of consultations among key figures from different opposition parties. El-Rufai confirmed this move during a recent event in Kaduna, where he reiterated the opposition’s aim to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
In his remarks, Basiru advised the opposition leaders to return to their respective political parties, suggesting that their lack of faith in their own electoral victories undermines their credibility. “If indeed they believe they won the 2023 election, why are they talking about a coalition for 2027?” he asked. “They should just go back to their political parties.” He also dismissed the coalition as a self-serving project, driven not by a genuine desire to serve Nigeria, but by personal ambition and a sense of entitlement.
As the opposition gears up for the 2027 election, the APC remains confident in its position, with Basiru asserting that the ruling party would once again emerge victorious. “By the grace of Almighty God, they will lose the 2027 election as well,” he said.
Article updated 5 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
