2027: Five Governors, 28 Senators, 60 Reps Members Reportedly Back Coalition to Unseat Tinubu

2027: Five Governors, 28 Senators, 60 Reps Members Reportedly Back Coalition to Unseat Tinubu

 

…Atiku, El-Rufai seek Buhari’s support 

….PDP Governors Reject Coalition 

….Start mobilising, we’ll ride any vehicle that guarantees good governance — Atiku tells supporters

 

The plot to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election has gathered additional momentum as the coalition reportedly secured the backing of five governors, 28 senators and 60 House of Representatives members.

 

According to a political commentator and close ally of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Imran U. Wakili, the coalition has already secured the backing of five sitting governors, 28 senators, and over 60 members of the House of Representatives.

 

Tinubu Must Resign If US Drugs Probe Records Are Negative – Atiku

 

Wakili made the disclosure via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, sparking a wave of reactions and speculation across the political landscape.

In his post, he hinted at the strength and structure of the movement, saying:

 “The coalition is currently with 5 governors and 28 Senators and 60+ House of Rep Members. E dey do me like say make I mention names, but I enjoy it when you come and think I am whining myself.”

When challenged on the authenticity of his claim, Wakili stood firm, insisting he was not exaggerating and reaffirmed the credibility of his statement.

 

Atiku, El-Rufai Seek Buhari’s Support

The coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, visited the former President at his residence in Kaduna on Friday.

A source very close to the delegation but would not want his name in print, revealed that the purpose of the visit was to seek the support of the retired general.

According to the source, the group is asking the former President to buy into the coalition project, explaining that it is only a coalition of politicians that could muster enough resources and votes to defeat President Tinubu in 2027.

Giving more insight into what transpired during the meeting he said, “The leader of the delegation, Atiku Abubakar took time to explain to the former President the need for the present administration not to be allowed to stay beyond a single tenure. He explained that a lot of Nigerians are going through untold hardship due to the anti-people policies of the present administration.

“He said that the dismantling of democratic institutions as was witnessed in Rivers State under a democratic regime was an indication that democracy was in danger under Tinubu.

“He also stated that the introduction of tax reform bills, an increase in the cost of doing business, increase in electricity, telephone and bank charges have depleted the economy of ordinary Nigerians and pushed more people into the poverty threshold.

“He told the former President that history will not be fair to him if he sits down and does nothing, hence the need to join hands with the coalition to ensure that President Tinubu is not re-elected in 2027.”

The former President, while welcoming his guests, reiterated that he would remain with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He, however, said that any of his supporters are at liberty to join the coalition or whatever political party he or she wishes.

“Buhari asked his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) base to join the coalition. He said that while he remains in APC, he won’t stop the CPC from joining a coalition of their choice. Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, is leading the CPC elements,” the source added.

What is unclear is the political party the coalition will use to achieve their plans. While some have argued that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was being prepared as a launching base for the coalition, our source explained that Atiku is lobbying that PDP be used for the assignment.

“Atiku believes that PDP has the spread and structure that could be used to execute the plan. He believes that he is in control of PDP governors and that the coalition will gain more force if PDP governors are allowed to buy into the project.

“All the same, Atiku does not want to be seen jumping into another party, having contested the Presidency in three different political parties without success. He wants to be seen as someone who is no longer moved by the urge to grab power,” the source further said.

On the delegation was the Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Radda, former governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Imo State Achike Udenwa, former governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswan and other top politicians.

Recall that in February, the ex-Vice President had paid a courtesy call to his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as former Heads of State, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Atiku has not hidden his intention to unseat the present administration, maintaining that only a coalition is capable of staging such a defeat.

 

PDP Governors Reject coalition

Rising from their meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, announced that the party would not participate in any coalition or merger.

Reading the communiqué on behalf of the 11 PDP governors, the Bauchi State governor stated that instead of joining any coalition, the party, as a major opposition force, would welcome any party, individuals, or groups willing to join it in the pursuit of reclaiming power and establishing good leadership in 2027.

 

He stated, “Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger.

“However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”

 

Start mobilising, We’ll ride any vehicle that guarantees good governance — Atiku 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed that the coalition of opposition forces he is championing would adopt any platform that ensures good governance in its bid to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

 

Atiku made the declaration on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation of National Opinion Leaders.

 

In a video of the meeting which was shared on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, he assured that the “coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades.”

 

 

His comment came just two days after the PDP Governors’ Forum, at the end of their meeting in Ibadan, distanced themselves from any planned coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Atiku had in March announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

 

At the announcement, he was flanked by Dr Yunusa Tanko, who represented Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

 

Following Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna alongside other coalition members, expectations were high that the PDP governors’ meeting in Ibadan would clarify the party’s stance on the alliance.

 

However, after the meeting, which began on Sunday and ended Monday, and was attended by acting PDP National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and other party leaders, the governors disassociated themselves from any coalition or merger discussions.

 

They nonetheless expressed readiness to welcome any individual, group or party willing to join the PDP to “wrest power and enthrone good leadership in 2027.”

 

While addressing the youth-dominated delegation of National Opinion Leaders, Atiku urged them to remain focused and not be swayed by short-term inducements.

 

“Don’t be disrupted by people giving you pennies or kobos here and there, and nairas here and there, and then abandon your future, and the future of your children,” he said.

 

“Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned—APC, PDP, Labour, and others—have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa Sabuwar tafiya, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria.

 

“And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon we will announce, and we hope and we appeal to you all to be part of this movement.”

 

The former vice president said the primary objective of the coalition was to ensure good governance.

 

“Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren, that is the vehicle we are going to ride on,” he declared.

 

He concluded by urging the delegation to start planning and mobilising support.

 

“Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway,” he said.