By Kolawole Ojebisi
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have signalled interest to join forces with other opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
This is as the plot to wrest the reins of power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent president, Bola Tinubu, thickens.
While these parties still keep the strategies to unseat Tinubu under wraps, former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are being touted to be prominent figures in the planned coalition.
While Obi may be fielded as the presidential candidate of the yet-to-be unveiled coalition party, El-Rufai is expected to be the rallying point for the showdown.
Recall that the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, confirmed coalition talks after meeting Obi in Bauchi on Thursday.
He said they talked about providing better leadership for Nigeria in 2027 and praised Obi for his deep knowledge of the economy.
Mohammed also stated that PDP governors were ready to collaborate with Obi.This development came days after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai announced that he would work to unite the opposition to defeat Tinubu.”Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027 by the Grace of God,” El-Rufai had said.
There are also speculations that APC members who are of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)’s extraction may dump the ruling party for the planned coalition.
Recall that the APC, formed in February 2013, is an amalgam resulting from a merger of Nigeria’s largest opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) along with a breakaway faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the new.
The speculation was fuelled by El-Rufai’s claim that he received the blessing of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, for his defection from APC. CPC is regarded as Buhari’s party.
“My first godfather is Muhammadu Buhari. For the rest, I will not mention them because if I do, they’ll be pressured.
“There are certain people that before I do any major thing or make any decision, I consult, and anything they ask me not to do, I don’t do, and former President Muhammadu Buhari is among them,” El-Rufai said.
“I consulted Buhari before leaving the APC. It was on a Friday when I went and met him. I hardly make any major decision without consulting him. I told him to pray for me and give me his blessings, which he did.” the ex-Kaduna governor added.
Buhari has since confirmed that he remains a member of the APC. Meanwhile, NNPP’s spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that their party and leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were in talks with other political figures.
He stated that the opposition must come together to rescue Nigeria’s economy. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also confirmed the ongoing discussions. CUPP’s National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh, said “a strong southern candidate is needed to challenge Tinubu”.
He identified Obi “as the best option” and urged northern leaders to support him with “a credible running mate”.
However, the Labour Party’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, said the party’s leadership had not officially discussed any coalition.
