REJOINDER: ATIKU’S 2027 “COALITION” — A POLITICAL FICTION DESIGNED TO MASK PERSONAL FRUSTRATION
By Hon. Dahiru Hammadikko, Convener, Northern Region Support Tinubu.
Friday 16th May, 2023
11:AM
In what has become a predictable cycle of political theatrics, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again attempted to manufacture a sense of relevance by claiming that key figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and others are coalescing into an opposition alliance to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. This pronouncement is not only misleading but a desperate narrative that fails even the most basic scrutiny.
1. Coalition Without Consent: A Political Mirage
Atiku’s assertion of a cross-party coalition is simply untrue. The PDP, his own party, has clearly and repeatedly stated — through its National Working Committee (NWC), Governors’ Forum, and Publicity Secretary — that it is not part of any merger or coalition talks. The Labour Party has also officially disassociated itself from any such arrangement. What then is the basis of Atiku’s claim?
One cannot build a coalition on wishful thinking or with parties that have denied involvement. This so-called “coalition” is nothing more than a projection of Atiku’s personal ambitions disguised as a political movement.
2. Defections Reflect Growing Strength of APC, Not Weakness
Contrary to Atiku’s narrative of an APC in decline, the facts on the ground paint a picture of a ruling party that is expanding its political reach. The defection of PDP Senators and House members to the APC, as well as the high-profile movement of PDP leaders such as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State, signifies a growing confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership.
Even former Atiku allies have begun to find new homes in the APC. These defections speak volumes about the realignment of political interest away from Atiku, not towards him.
3. Atiku’s Political History: A Trail of Unrealized Permutations
Let us be candid: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has contested in virtually every presidential election cycle since 1993, changing political parties more than any prominent Nigerian politician in recent memory. Yet, each attempt has ended in defeat. His latest attempt in 2023 was not just a loss; it was a rejection of his outdated style of politics — one built more on entitlement than innovation.
This pattern reveals a man who cannot accept political reality. Rather than reflect inward and embrace statesmanship, Atiku continues to chase shadows and conjure phantom coalitions.
4. Tinubu’s Administration: Progress Amid Challenges
While it is true that Nigeria faces economic and security challenges — many of which were inherited — President Tinubu has shown the political will to tackle the problems head-on. His administration has embarked on tough but necessary reforms, including the fuel subsidy removal and unification of exchange rates, which previous governments, including those involving Atiku, had neither the courage nor capacity to implement.
Despite opposition propaganda, the Tinubu-led APC government is steadily building the foundation for sustainable growth, with key policies attracting renewed investor interest, international engagement, and institutional reform.
5. Political Realignment or Personal Rebranding?
Atiku’s “coalition” claims are less about a grand opposition strategy and more about rebranding his personal political fortunes. With his relevance in the PDP waning, and having lost significant goodwill among Nigerian voters, Atiku is attempting to reposition himself as the face of a resistance that doesn’t exist — at least not beyond his political echo chamber.
Conclusion:
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s latest pronouncement is not a revelation — it is revisionism. His dream of a coalition has no foundation in political consensus or institutional backing. Instead of building imaginary alliances, Atiku should reflect on why, despite his long political career, he continues to fall short of earning the trust of the Nigerian electorate.
Nigerians are no longer swayed by recycled promises or empty slogans. The 2027 elections will not be determined by political gimmickry but by credible performance — and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite challenges, is laying the groundwork for victory through action, not noise.
The real coalition forming today is not among Atiku’s imaginary allies, but among Nigerians who are tired of political opportunism and are ready to support a leadership that makes tough decisions for the future. The earlier Atiku wakes up from this coalition fantasy, the better for his legacy.
By:- Hon Dahiru Hammandikko, Convener,
Northern Region Support Tinubu
