Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has disclosed that key figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other political groups are part of a burgeoning coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja during a visit by political stakeholders from Kogi-East Senatorial District, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba.'

He explained that the coalition, which cuts across party lines, was formed to challenge what he described as the inefficiency and incompetence of the current APC-led administration.

“I want you to understand that it is up to us,” Atiku told the visiting delegation. “You are leaders of your various communities. We have a coalition. All the major political parties are involved. In this coalition — the APC, PDP, Labour Party — all of us are involved. That is the way to go in confronting such an incompetent and inefficient government.”

Recall that Atiku on March 20 announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Tinubu in 2027. He was flanked at the press conference by Dr Yunusa Tanko, representative of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

His remarks come amid growing political realignments and mounting criticisms of the Tinubu administration, particularly over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and allegations of exclusionary governance.

Aside the defection of El-Rufai from the APC to the PDP, the only other major switch towards the coalition has been the departure of former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, from the APC. While he has not formally joined the coalition, his criticism of the APC government has been viewed to align with the position of the coalition.

But while observers and Nigerians await the coalition to gain momentum, the PDP—Atiku’s party—has been hit by a wave of high-profile defections, fuelling uncertainty about its internal cohesion ahead of 2027.

In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, along with his predecessor and Atiku’s 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, have moved to the APC, taking with them the entire PDP structure in the state.

The National Assembly has also witnessed a steady erosion of the opposition’s ranks. Earlier this week, the three senators representing Kebbi State formally defected from the PDP to the APC on the floor of the Senate. This followed the defection of Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC, reducing the number of opposition senators to 39.

The trend continued on Thursday at the House of Representatives as two NNPP lawmakers from Kano and a PDP lawmaker from Osun also crossed over to the ruling party.

PDP reiterates opposition to coalition talks

However, the PDP has reaffirmed its position that it is not part of any merger or coalition arrangements, including the initiative led by Atiku.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party’s stance on the Atiku-led coalition or any other merger talks remained unchanged.

“As a party, we have a process, and we have already explained our position in a public statement. If that position changes, we will update the public accordingly.

“You can simply refer to the statement we previously issued on the matter. I am not responding to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar specifically. We’ve already addressed the issue. If there’s a change, you’ll be duly informed, just as we did before. There’s no need for a new statement at this point,” he added.

Daily Trust recalls that following its 587th meeting in Abuja, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) issued a formal declaration that the party is “not in any merger talks with another political party.” It emphasised the PDP’s capacity to win elections on its own—provided the electoral process is free and fair.

“The National Working Committee, after its 587th meeting, restates for the umpteenth time that the PDP is not engaged in any merger, fusion or amalgamation talks with any other political party or interest,” Ologunagba stated.

He added that many Nigerians, including former members, are returning to the party, and this momentum, he said, is sufficient for electoral success. He urged party members and the international community to disregard reports suggesting any ongoing merger discussions.

Similarly, the PDP Governors’ Forum, in a communiqué issued after its meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 14 April, distanced itself from any coalition or merger plans. The meeting was attended by the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and several other party leaders.

The governors, however, expressed openness to welcoming individuals, groups, or political parties that wish to join the PDP’s effort to “wrest power and enthrone good leadership in 2027.”

“Noting the nationwide speculations about a possible merger of parties, groups, and/or associations, the Forum resolved that it will not join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join, with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027,” the communiqué stated. It was signed and read by the Forum’s chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

Other governors present included the host, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; Ahmad Fintiri of Adamawa; Peter Mbah of Enugu; Ademola Adeleke of Osun; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau; Agbu Kefas of Taraba; and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno was represented by his deputy, Akon Eyakenyi, while Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme. The suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was notably absent.

However, shortly after the Ibadan meeting, the composition and direction of the Forum began to shift. Governor Eno publicly declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid and warned that he might leave the PDP if the party failed to resolve its internal crisis.


Atiku is dreaming – APC

Reacting to Atiku’s coalition claims, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the former vice president’s remarks, describing them as mere “dreams.”

Speaking to Daily Trust in a telephone interview, the APC’s National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, said the party was unbothered by what he called the “antics” of a perennial contender who had failed repeatedly at the polls.

“The beauty of democracy is that it accommodates all forms of opinions — including those of dreamers,” Ibrahim said. “So as the ruling party, we will not wake them from their dreams. Let them enjoy it and continue dreaming.”

He added that Atiku’s political track record does not lend credence to the optimism he is now expressing through the coalition movement.

“The truth of the matter is that by the time they wake up, the situation that will confront them will be completely different from what they imagined. Atiku is a serial loser in Nigerian elections. He has made many permutations, none of which has materialised. This is just another one — another dream.

“We are not perturbed. The APC is growing stronger by the day.”


LP disowns coalition talks, says it’s not involved

Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from Atiku’s coalition claims, insisting it is not in any form of merger or alliance talks with any political party, group or individual.

In a telephone interview with Daily Trust, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, dismissed reports suggesting the party was part of a cross-party coalition aimed at unseating President Tinubu, describing such claims as “false and misleading.”

“The Labour Party is not in any merger or coalition talks with anyone — individuals, parties, or organisations,” Ifoh stated. “We are aware that some individuals are engaged in such talks for personal and selfish reasons. They do not represent the Labour Party. We are not involved in any merger or coalition.”

Ifoh’s remarks come in the wake of the LP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on May 2, where the party formally resolved not to enter any alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reading from a 12-point resolution adopted at the meeting, LP National Chairman Julius Abure said the party would instead focus on internal reforms and electoral preparedness.

“The Labour Party is not, and will not be, part of any coalition towards the 2027 general election,” Abure declared. “Rather, we will concentrate on rebuilding, repositioning, re-strategising, reconciling, and expanding our membership base in preparation for victory in 2027.”

He also expressed doubt over the viability of the various coalition efforts currently underway, suggesting that their architects lacked the political will and leadership needed to forge sustainable alliances.

“People who cannot unite their own parties cannot lead a national coalition,” Abure said. “Forming a new party or a merger where stakeholders are expected to surrender their identity and structure requires strong leadership — and that is currently lacking.”

Elements within PDP, LP, APC involved in coalition, not entire parties – Atiku’s aide

Responding to the position of political parties that have distanced themselves from any coalition plans, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, offered clarification, saying Atiku was referring to individuals within the major parties—not the parties in their entirety.

He explained that the coalition was being formed by reform-minded elements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than through official party channels.

“What His Excellency was referring to are elements within those parties—PDP, LP, APC—not the full party structures,” Ibe told Daily Trust. “Nigerians should be patient and optimistic about the coalition strategy.”

When asked why the coalition had not yet been formally unveiled, Ibe said the political environment had necessitated a different approach.

“Every political season presents its own challenges, and this one is no different. We’re dealing with a full-blown dictatorship—a regime capturing state institutions, including the judiciary, the National Assembly, and political leaders”, he said.

Ibe insisted the coalition would not follow the usual pattern, describing it instead as a “people-powered” movement.

“This coalition is going to be different. We’ve said it over and over—this is a coalition driven by the people. The people are at the centre of it,” he said.

“The big political players will come on board when the time is right. So just calm down, as they say on social media. Tell Nigerians to be calming down. Quote me on that. Everything is going well—beyond even our expectations. It’s going to happen. There’s no two ways about it. Nigerians have made up their minds about the direction they want to go, and this is that direction.”

Responding to the reluctance of opposition parties to formally back the coalition, Ibe dismissed their objections as politically motivated.

“If you speak to my political opponents, do you expect them to say anything positive about me? Of course not. When His Excellency referred to involvement in the coalition, he meant specific individuals—components, not entire parties,” he said.

He described the initiative as a “pan-Nigerian coalition” comprising dissenting voices from across the political spectrum.

“This is about reform-minded Nigerians from everywhere coming together. It has to happen. Otherwise, democracy itself is at risk. And not just democracy—the fight against corruption is in jeopardy too,” he said.

He accused the Tinubu administration of using anti-corruption institutions for political repression.

He said, “They’ve turned these institutions into tools of state capture—tools for political kidnapping. What you’re seeing in terms of defections is nothing short of political ransom. Leaders are being taken hostage. And that’s dangerous for democracy and dangerous for the anti-corruption war.”