On Monday, March 24, former APC North-West Vice Chairman, Salihu Lukman, revealed that discussions on forming a unified opposition party to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections are in their final stages.
Lukman made the statement in response to Atiku Abubakar’s recent announcement that opposition leaders were working on a coalition to take on the APC in the next general elections.
According to Lukman, Abubakar’s declaration has sparked intense national debate, and while no final decisions have been made, consultations are progressing well.
He explained that the main goal of the talks is securing a commitment from leaders to collaborate, even if it means putting aside personal ambitions for the 2027 elections. Another key point of discussion is deciding which political party will serve as the coalition’s platform.
While acknowledging that zoning concerns have emerged among some leaders, Lukman dismissed media reports claiming that disagreements were hindering the process. He emphasized that the final decision on selecting candidates would only be made after reaching an agreement on the party platform for the coalition.
Lukman also disclosed that some coalition members had tried to register new political parties, but their efforts were blocked by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Additionally, several smaller registered parties that failed to win any seats in the last election face the risk of de-registration, reducing the available options for the coalition.
He warned that further delays in forming the coalition could result in a one-party system in Nigeria, making it difficult for the opposition to contest effectively in 2027. Lukman urged Nigerians to recognize the urgency of the situation, stressing that waiting until 2027 to act could lead to a legal knockout, leaving only the ruling APC as a viable option.
