..Ruling Party Allies Dismiss Opposition Coalition, Say Tinubu Remains Strong Favourite for Re-election
By Our Correspondent
The political battle ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election is gathering momentum, with supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissing the emerging alliance among opposition figures as incapable of stopping the president’s bid for a second term.
The Renewed Hope Project 2027, a group mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election, has described the reported alliance involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as an “exercise in futility.”
The group maintained that the proposed opposition coalition would not be strong enough to defeat Tinubu at the 2027 presidential election.
The development comes as opposition politicians intensify consultations aimed at building a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the next presidential contest.
Atiku, Obi, Duke and other prominent opposition figures have been linked to ongoing efforts to bring various political interests together under a common arrangement ahead of the election.
The proposed coalition is expected to draw support from politicians and groups seeking an alternative to the APC-led Federal Government.
However, Tinubu’s supporters have expressed confidence that the president’s political structure, nationwide support base and record in office will give him an advantage when Nigerians return to the polls.
Speaking during the inauguration and unveiling of the Renewed Hope Project 2027, the group’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, retired Major General Abdulmalik Jibril, reportedly dismissed the opposition moves, insisting that they would not prevent Tinubu from securing another term.
The group argued that political alliances alone would not guarantee electoral victory, stressing that the opposition would still have to convince Nigerians that it has a better alternative to the current administration.
The Tinubu camp is also expected to make the administration’s policies and achievements major issues in the 2027 campaign.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, was also reported to have stated that the APC would approach the 2027 campaign with facts and achievements in its bid to secure Tinubu’s re-election.
The ruling party’s position comes at a time when political realignments are becoming increasingly visible across the country.
For the opposition, the major challenge will be transforming the different political structures and personal followings of its leading figures into a single, disciplined and nationally coordinated movement.
Atiku and Obi already command significant political followings, while Duke and other opposition figures could add further strength to any broader coalition.
The proposed alliance is particularly significant because opposition votes were divided among several major candidates during the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku contested under the Peoples Democratic Party, while Obi ran on the Labour Party platform. Tinubu eventually won the election after a closely contested race.
The possibility of the major opposition figures working together in 2027 has therefore generated considerable political interest and speculation about whether a united opposition could present a stronger challenge to the incumbent.
But political observers note that forming an alliance is only the beginning.
The opposition would still have to resolve several difficult questions, including the choice of presidential candidate, power-sharing arrangements, party structures, regional interests and the ability of the various political camps to work together without internal divisions.
On the other hand, Tinubu and the APC will have their own challenges to overcome before the election.
The administration is likely to face intense scrutiny over the economy, inflation, unemployment, security and the impact of its reforms on ordinary Nigerians.
These issues could become major campaign talking points as the election approaches.
While Tinubu’s supporters are confident that his administration’s policies will ultimately win over voters, opposition politicians are expected to argue that Nigerians deserve a different political direction.
The emerging contest is therefore shaping up to be a battle not only between individuals but also between competing visions for the future of Nigeria.
As the 2027 election draws closer, political parties and presidential hopefuls are expected to intensify consultations, mobilisation and grassroots campaigns across the country.
For now, Tinubu’s camp remains dismissive of the proposed Atiku, Obi and Duke alliance, insisting that the coalition will not be enough to defeat the president.
Whether the opposition can turn its current consultations into a powerful electoral alliance — or whether the ruling APC will successfully defend the presidency — will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters in 2027.
