Three of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures are in talks about a possible merger to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election. The discussions involve former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), according to PDP Deputy National Spokesman Ibrahim Abdullahi.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Sunrise Daily* on Monday, Abdullahi emphasized that the three leaders are considering setting aside personal ambitions to form a formidable alliance aimed at rescuing Nigerians from widespread hunger and insecurity.
Abdullahi acknowledged that the PDP’s internal conflicts had led to the departure of key figures like Obi and Kwankwaso, which weakened the party in the last election. “Imagine if they were still with us, we would have won the election,” he said, noting that even a single one of these leaders could have closed the gap between the PDP and the APC, which won by just over one million votes.
The PDP spokesman revealed that discussions are ongoing to bring Obi, Kwankwaso, and other former members back into the party. “Our priority is to salvage Nigerians from the current despair and insecurity, not individual ambitions,” he stated.
In the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu of the APC emerged victorious with nearly two million votes more than his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar. Obi and Kwankwaso, who were once PDP members, finished third and fourth, respectively.
Abdullahi expressed confidence that a united opposition could provide a stronger challenge in 2027, stressing that the need to alleviate the current hardships faced by Nigerians is more important than any one leader’s aspirations. He added that if the merger occurs, the leaders would agree on a single candidate to lead the coalition.
“Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso are all qualified,” Abdullahi said. “Whoever emerges as the candidate will have our full support in the mission to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.”
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