Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is reportedly making strategic moves to galvanize northern political support, as he and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai spearhead a new opposition coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Sources indicate that Atiku recently met with retired General Aliyu Gusau to solicit his assistance in rallying influential northern political figures behind the nascent coalition. Despite some initial reservations about the coalition’s motives and structure, Gusau is said to have agreed to facilitate a closed-door meeting this weekend at his Abuja residence with three key northern leaders who have reportedly distanced themselves from the group.
“The meeting is for them to discuss the motives and modalities for the coalition and see if it’s worth supporting,” a source close to Gusau confirmed. Another insider corroborated, stating that Gusau, though not entirely convinced by the coalition’s objectives, has agreed to mediate among skeptical northern leaders.
The emerging coalition boasts a blend of high-profile figures from across political divides, including Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (2023 Labour Party presidential candidate), Nasir El-Rufai (former APC governor of Kaduna), and Salihu Lukman (former APC Vice Chairman, North-West). The group is also actively reaching out to disaffected members from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and other opposition camps.
However, the path to a united front appears to have some hurdles. Former Senate President David Mark has reportedly remained aloof, citing uncertainty about the coalition’s direction. Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has been more vocal, recently vowing to boycott PDP meetings until disciplinary actions are taken against those who endorsed Tinubu’s second-term bid, specifically naming FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom. Former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi has maintained a public silence, but is known to be cautious about aligning with the current coalition.
This strategic maneuver by Atiku and El-Rufai signals a clear intent to consolidate opposition forces and present a formidable challenge to the incumbent administration in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
