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By Oscar Okhifo
The Presidency has strongly dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring the opposition alliance as weak and lacking in direction.
In a statement on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said even if Atiku and Obi teamed up on a joint ticket, they would still be unable to defeat the Tinubu/Shettima candidacy.
“There is no way Atiku and Obi can defeat Tinubu, even if they come together,” Onanuga said. “The Tinubu administration has done enough to earn the trust of Nigerians again. Atiku has been contesting and losing, and Obi’s influence remains largely regional.”
Onanuga described the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as unserious and ideologically shallow, stressing that it posed no real threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Backing Onanuga’s position, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Daniel Bwala, predicted that the coalition would collapse within six months. According to him, the alliance lacks a unifying vision, policy clarity, or national appeal.
“This merger is driven by ambition, not ideas. It will not stand the test of time,” Bwala said.
Also weighing in, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu urged the opposition not to underestimate Tinubu, describing the President as a visionary leader with a track record of reform and innovation.
“The opposition is relying on outdated narratives. President Tinubu is far ahead in terms of ideas and leadership capacity,” Ribadu stated.
The Presidency’s remarks come in the wake of the launch of a new political alliance comprising several opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others, under the ADC platform. The coalition, led by former Senate President David Mark as interim chairman, aims to unseat the APC in 2027.
However, the Presidency insists that Tinubu’s administration is delivering on its “Renewed Hope” agenda and remains the most viable option for Nigeria’s future. Support groups from various regions, including the South-East Professionals Alliance (SEPA 2027) and the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), have echoed the Presidency’s position, backing Tinubu for a second term.
As political activities begin to heat up ahead of 2027, the debate over the strength and sustainability of the new opposition coalition versus the incumbent administration is expected to intensify.