The momentum behind the emerging political coalition aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections has slowed due to internal disagreements over strategy, according to Umar Ardo, Convener of the League of Northern Democrats.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Ardo revealed that the coalition—reportedly involving key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi—is currently grappling with an ideological rift.
Ardo clarified that the disagreement is not over policy positions per se, but rather over the approach to consolidating political strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The coalition is in place, but it’s just divided on the basis of ideology,” Ardo said. “When I say ideology, I mean approach—how to approach the politics.”
According to him, the majority of members and leaders in the coalition support fusing into an already existing political party. However, a faction—of which Ardo is part—believes the coalition should register an entirely new political party.
“This is where things stand. I don’t know what the ultimate decision will be by the leaders and key stakeholders of the coalition,” he added.
Despite the current stalemate, Ardo expressed optimism about the coalition’s future, suggesting that such challenges are common at the formative stage of political movements.
“We insist that our approach of establishing a new political party by the coalition is the best way to approach this transitional politics, and it is, for me, almost certain of victory,” he asserted.
The coalition, if consolidated, could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. However, unity on strategic direction remains a critical hurdle.
