Nigeria’s two main oppostion leaders join forces

Nigeria’s political scene is undergoing a major shake-up. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi have teamed up under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

This unexpected alliance brings together two of the most recognizable faces in Nigerian politics, each of whom once led his own movement. Atiku is stepping away from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Obi is parting ways with the Labour Party (LP). That alone marks a significant departure from the usual political playbook in Nigeria, where loyalty to established parties has traditionally been the norm.

But they’re not alone. The new-look ADC is attracting other heavyweights, including former Senate President David Mark, ex-APC governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former minister Rotimi Amaechi. It’s shaping up to be a wide-reaching coalition, built around the idea that unity might finally be the key to breaking the APC’s hold on power.

Their reason is simple. Past elections were often lost, not because the opposition lacked suppor but because the votes were scattered across too many candidates. A united platform could change that.

President Tinubu, meanwhile, remains a formidable figure. Backed by a party that still holds sway in both the Southwest and much of the North, he’s far from a lame duck. History is also on his side, incumbents rarely lose re-election bids in Nigeria, or across much of the continent.
Still, this realignment feels different. It reflects a growing urgency among political leaders to respond to a restless, young electorate demanding change.

 Traditional party lines are blurring. Former rivals are becoming allies. And for the first time in a long time, the next election feels open in ways we haven’t seen since the return to democracy in 1999.

What’s clear is that Nigeria’s political game is being rewritten. Whether this new coalition can truly shift the balance of power remains to be seen, but the groundwork for a fierce contest in 2027 has been laid.