Ex-APC official pushes plan to unite Obi, Atiku for 2027 challenge

A former All Progressives Congress official has revealed that moves are afoot to bring together prominent opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi with the goal of presenting one candidate in the 2027 presidential race. Salihu Lukman, who previously held senior positions within the APC, disclosed the effort during an interview with Arise News, stating that a framework has been proposed to opposition leaders to facilitate joint action.

Lukman's initiative targets what he describes as a fractured opposition landscape. He stressed that opposition parties and candidates ought to recognise their primary contest is not with each other but with the ruling APC and President Bola Tinubu.

The proposal comes as the 2027 election cycle gains momentum, with various opposition parties and figures already positioning themselves for potential candidacy. Sources indicate disagreement on the formal party affiliations involved.

Two accounts identify Atiku as the African Democratic Congress candidate and Obi as the Nigeria Democratic Congress standard-bearer, though one source does not specify party designations. All three sources confirm that Lukman, drawing on his experience as a former Progressive Governors Forum director and APC vice-chairman in the North-West, is spearheading these unification discussions.

The proposal signals an emerging strategy within opposition circles to consolidate their electoral strength ahead of the 2027 poll. Lukman has positioned the initiative as essential for opposition parties to mount an effective challenge to the incumbent administration.

No public response from either Atiku or Obi to the unification proposal has been reported as of the time these sources were published.