By Hassan Adamu
In what appears to be the most unexpected political twist ahead of the 2027 general elections, credible signals from political insiders suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi are finalizing plans to form a powerful alliance under the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—a third-force platform aimed at dislodging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku and Obi
Although official declarations remain pending, multiple sources confirm that the proposed ticket will feature Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate and Peter Obi as his running mate—a reunion of sorts after their 2019 pairing under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This time, however, the alliance is expected to leave the familiar terrain of the PDP and Labour Party for ADC, a relatively under-the-radar platform set to become the nucleus of a new political coalition.
Political analysts believe this move, if confirmed, could shake up Nigeria’s electoral map.
The combination of Atiku’s formidable northern influence and Obi’s meteoric popularity among the youth and southern electorate could mount the most serious challenge yet to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid under the APC.
“This is not just a merger of names, but a calculated strategic realignment,” said one high-ranking party insider.
The source noted that the move by two Nigerian political heavy weights has been trending on the social media, saying, “It could unite disparate opposition bases under one roof—and that’s what the APC fears the most.”
Still, the emerging coalition faces formidable obstacles. ADC must scale up its national structure to accommodate heavyweights, while both Atiku and Obi must align their ambitions and reconcile differences in ideology and public perception.
Obi’s supporters, in particular, are already voicing mixed reactions online, questioning the wisdom of partnering again with a traditional power broker.
Political observers warn that unless the coalition is managed with surgical precision, it could collapse under internal contradictions—or worse, split the opposition further.
However, if it holds, Nigeria may be heading into its most competitive and unpredictable election since 1999.
For now, Nigerians await the official announcement, but one thing is clear: the race to 2027 has truly begun, and the political chessboard is shifting fast.
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