Former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has stated that none of the leading opposition figures advocating for a coalition to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 have consulted their respective political parties.
Last week, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside Peter Obi’s representative, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, among others, announced their plan to form a coalition aimed at unseating the APC-led government in the next general election.
At a press conference in Abuja, Atiku declared that the coalition had been formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
However, Shekarau, through a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Sule Yau, expressed skepticism about the coalition’s viability, noting that none of the key figures had officially engaged their party leadership on the matter.
Embattled former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, also dismissed the coalition, stating that the PDP had no knowledge of such an alliance. He emphasized that the PDP was too large to be absorbed into any merger.
Shekarau remarked, “This is merely a gathering of individuals with political ambitions. None of them has formally consulted their party leadership. While the idea of an opposition alliance is commendable, it currently lacks institutional backing from any party leadership.”
He recalled that Nigeria’s first successful political merger took place in 2013, when four registered parties united to form the APC. According to him, unlike the present coalition, the APC merger was an alliance of structured and well-established opposition parties with elected governors, legislators, and strong grassroots support.
Shekarau further referenced the events of March 20, 2025, in the National Assembly concerning the “State of Emergency” in Rivers State. He argued that the opposition coalition had failed to demonstrate real influence, as they could not prevent the APC from securing the required votes for the law’s passage.
Drawing parallels with past efforts, he noted that the 2019 coalition was formally launched nearly a year before the elections at the Yar’Adua Center, yet no elected PDP leaders attended. He insisted that informal alliances by individual politicians would have little electoral impact unless the leadership structures of opposition parties at all levels were actively involved.
Despite his reservations, Shekarau maintained that it was not too late for the opposition to reposition itself for the 2027 elections. He urged them to adopt a clear vision, mission, and sense of purpose to strengthen their chances.
