Amid coalition talks to oppose President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections gaining traction, northern stakeholders are urging southern candidates to sign a one-term agreement.
A source participating in coalition negotiations, who asked for anonymity due to a lack of authority to speak on the subject, informed reporters that northern stakeholders are lobbying former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to run.
According to the source, most stakeholders feel that if all coalition leaders support a southern candidate, President Tinubu can be defeated.
On March 20, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku, the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced the establishment of a coalition aimed at eliminating President Tinubu in 2027.
The discussion over whether opposition parties should unite to fight President Tinubu’s administration has heated up, with various political personalities expressing differing views.
Former Vice President Atiku has been a staunch supporter of opposition unity, highlighting the value of partnership.
On March 8, he revealed his efforts to bring opposition organisations together and establish a coalition to depose the APC.
Following El-Rufai’s transition from the APC to the Social Democratic Party on March 10, conversations among opposition leaders accelerated significantly.
Atiku and other opposition heavyweights announced that the March 20 meeting was the coalition’s official debut.
It was reported on March 23 that political leaders’ negotiations are being delayed due to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ambitions and the zoning controversy.
According to the source, stakeholders have several choices for addressing all of their issues.
He stated, “There are numerous concerns among all stakeholders involved in the coalition negotiations, with the North-South issue being the primary concern.
“Most of us understand that if we field a competent and credible southern candidate, defeating President Tinubu would be much easier. Therefore, many stakeholders, especially those from the North, are urging Atiku to step down and allow the coalition to support a southern candidate who will serve a single term if elected.
“In fact, some of these stakeholders are insisting that any southern aspirant the coalition will support must agree to a single-term commitment.
These challenges are arising, but we are dedicated to addressing them as they arise and accommodating the many Nigerians who are fed up with the APC’s mismanagement. Our goal is to ensure a fair process that represents the people’s interests while also strengthening the coalition’s cohesiveness.”
When asked for a response, Peter Ahmeh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, stated that the proposal for southern candidates to sign a single-term pact, among other options, is being considered by stakeholders.
In a conversation with our correspondent, Ahmeh indicated that the opposition forces against President Tinubu are stronger than those confronting former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
He stated, “The signing of a single-term agreement by a southerner is part of what is on the table, but this has not been concluded yet. It has not reached a conclusion.
“Peter Obi and some other southern aspirants are involved. I believe that the decision will be reached in the next few weeks.
“There are many options on the table. People are bringing different permutations, but the fact still remains that you can’t put the cart before the horse. As soon as the agreement is reached, we will communicate it to the public.
“It is very obvious that more Nigerians have realised that this government is doing us more harm than good. So, quite many Nigerians are joining the coalition. There are more opposition forces against this government than there were against former President Jonathan in 2014.
“So, I urge all coalition stakeholders and other opposition leaders to sustain this commitment so that we can come together to rescue this country from the failed APC.”
When reached for comment, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cautioned against speculation that could undermine the coalition negotiations.
In an exclusive interview, Atiku, through his media aide, Paul Ibe, emphasised that any agreement made will be binding for all parties involved.
He stated, “The agreement must be between the stakeholders, and we cannot speculate about it because discussions are still ongoing. We don’t need to reach conclusions while discussions are still ongoing. Once an agreement is reached, it will be binding, but until then, we must refrain from drawing conclusions about the ongoing process.
“Yes, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, is committed. What’s important for him is not to put the cart before the horse. His Excellency, like other leaders, believes that the only way to remove those who don’t mean well for our people and our country is by having a strong, united coalition.
“That coalition must be robust and strong enough to push forward. That is what they are working towards, and it is the most important goal, above all else.”
Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the SDP, said that widespread consultation is underway.
He stated, “I am not in a position to say anything now. I can’t tell you what we intend to do and how far we have gone; consultation is ongoing.
“We are doing more consultations. When we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it. But our consultations are ongoing nationwide. I am not going to disclose who is involved in the consultation and other details.”
However, Timothy Osadolor, the PDP National Youth Leader, condemned the campaign for a southerner to sign a single-term pact as premature.
In an interview, Osadolor urged coalition stakeholders to maintain opportunities accessible for bright Nigerians.
He stated, “For me, I think it is premature to narrow this contest to the South. If we say a southerner must run, who are the southerners capable of running and dismantling this monstrosity called the APC government? There are just three people: former President Goodluck Jonathan, Obi, and I don’t think there is anyone as formidable as the Oyo State governor.
“I am not going to speak for all the other southerners who want to run, with all due respect to them. But I think we should allow Nigerians, irrespective of where they come from, to pursue their ambitions. That is the best way we can defeat the APC.
“And if among those who come forward, we unanimously agree to support one, regardless of the geopolitical region they hail from, it will be a collective democratic decision, and no one will accuse the coalition of denying them their rights.”
