Coalition Talks Heat Up as Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, and Northern Leaders Strategize for 2027
In a bold move to reshape Nigeria’s political future, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and other political heavyweights met in Abuja under the umbrella of the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) North.
The high-profile gathering, aimed at building a united opposition against President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections, drew leaders from across Nigeria’s 19 northern states. The list included former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Kogi Governor Idris Wada, former AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN), ex-SGF Babachir Lawal, PDP BoT Chair Adolphus Wabara, and Labour Party VP candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, among others.
In his address, Atiku recalled how the Obasanjo administration confronted the Boko Haram insurgency in its early stages. He also decried the poor police-to-population ratio, comparing Nigeria’s 340,000 officers to Egypt’s one million, despite having a smaller population.
CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BELOW AFTER THESE IMPORTANT NOTICES
Log in to primsol.lawpavilion.com and store.lawpavilion.com to enjoy the best E-journals, textbooks, and many more. For further enquiries/assistance, send an email to customercare@lawpavilion.com or call 08050298729
Obi, meanwhile, declared the North as Nigeria’s greatest asset, arguing that investing in education and agriculture in the region could eradicate poverty and reduce insecurity. He criticized the federal government’s N15 trillion coastal highway project, saying it prioritizes flashy infrastructure over urgent human development needs.
“If we invest wisely in the North, we’ll transform the country,” Obi said. “Let’s vote for competence and capacity, not tribe or religion.”
The meeting wasn’t without controversy. A dispute broke out between two factions of the Jigawa delegation when Babachir Lawal announced Mustapha Sule Lamido as the state’s speaker. Supporters of former Deputy Governor Ahmed Mahmud Gumel protested, accusing Sule Lamido of lacking coalition loyalty. Both camps were eventually allowed to speak.
A communiqué released afterward stressed the importance of a united northern front, calling for selfless leadership and deep grassroots engagement. Four strategic committees—Mobilisation, Blueprint Development, Peace and Reconciliation, and Publicity—were formed to shape the coalition’s next moves.
Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), confirmed that talks with Atiku and Obi are ongoing and may conclude within two weeks. He also revealed that some coalition groups have adopted the ADC as a potential platform.
However, Salihu Lukman, a key strategist, urged caution. He noted that many prefer to form a new party, but INEC has stalled over 70 registration applications. If an existing party is used, he stressed, its leadership must be overhauled.
Political analysts offered mixed views. Dr. Abubakar Kari described the movement as “politically significant but structurally weak,” while Prof. Kamilu Sani Fage warned of a fragmented North compared to the more organized South. Prof. Salman Jawondo (SAN) and Sikiru Nurudeen emphasized the need for grassroots unity and strategic clarity.
Reacting to the meeting, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) welcomed the growing political activity, calling it a healthy sign for democracy, while affirming its non-partisan stance.
FOR SUPPORT TO BARRISTERNG BLOG, DONATE TO: 1. NAIRA ACCOUNT: 1023046978 - UBA 2. USD ACCOUNT: 5090743566 - FIDELITY BANK PLC
Call Bridget Edokwe Esq on 08060798767 or send your articles to barristerngblog@gmail.com
A Must-Have for Every Lawyer: Order Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye’s Latest Books on Electronic Evidence Today: To order your copies, click the link below and order directly from the author:
https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/
SHOP NOW
The Price is 10k for Hard Copy less freight and 5k for E- Book copy in the Store of the Website. https://buokorie.com/store/ To access the hard copy, Call - 07087622283
