As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 presidential election, there’s talk about former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wanting to team up with Peter Obi from the Labour Party (LP). But people are warning Atiku that this might not be a good idea.
Some people say Atiku can’t make a group strong enough to take away President Bola Tinubu’s power in 2027. This is because there are lots of problems in the PDP, LP, and another party called the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Since the last big election in 2023, the PDP has had trouble with different groups fighting over who should be the main leader. The LP has the same problem.
The DAILY POST reported that there was fighting in the NNPP, and this led to some important people getting kicked out for not following party rules.
A while ago, a political thinker, Pat Utomi, said he talked to Atiku, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso about starting a new political party together. But some people think this is just a dream that won’t come true.
Mr. Felix Morka, a speaker for the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Utomi’s idea is just a fantasy. He also said Utomi often talks about big party plans that never happen.
Even though people are arguing, Atiku, and other big names like Obi and Kwankwaso, are having talks in secret to maybe work together. Atiku’s media helper, Paul Ibe, said they’re working quietly, away from the newspapers, and everybody knows it’s important to team up to help Nigeria.
But not everyone believes in this team-up idea. Katchi Ononuju from a research center said it’s not going to happen. He thinks only Kwankwaso seems interested in working with Obi. He doesn’t see any merger happening because of all the party problems.
There’s a belief that Atiku’s big wishes might be too much for others. Some say he needs to step back and show he wants to work with others.
Katchi Ononuju also pointed out that if Atiku doesn’t allow someone younger from the South to take the lead, there won’t be any strong collaboration. He thinks the issues are happening because of Atiku’s stubbornness in wanting to lead instead of supporting others.
Peter Obi has also said he wouldn’t work under Atiku. He believes in a South inclusion, remembering past issues with politicians keeping things to themselves.
Many believe Atiku has miscalculated his political journey, and that’s why he hasn’t become president. They think his past mistakes, like not supporting other leaders, have cost him dearly.
Others argue that working together is not so easy, especially if you don’t trust others. They say there’s no point in joining forces if the system doesn’t allow true cooperation.
Deji Adeyanju, an activist lawyer, believes that no one can use a merger to win against President Tinubu’s political strength in 2027. He thinks the opposition messed up their chances by not working together in past elections.
He suggests that because of the political system, any ideas about merging don’t make much sense. In places like Kogi and Imo, he believes there weren’t fair elections, and that’s what makes political alliances tough.