In a bold and unprecedented political maneuver, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined forces with ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party spokesman Yunusa Tanko, and other prominent figures to form a formidable opposition coalition aimed at ending President Bola Tinubu’s tenure in 2027.
At a high-stakes press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku, flanked by key opposition leaders, declared their collective resolve to challenge Tinubu’s administration and restore what they describe as constitutional order and democratic governance.
The coalition’s announcement comes on the heels of Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state’s House of Assembly.
Describing the move as a dangerous precedent and a blatant abuse of power, Atiku accused Tinubu of orchestrating an authoritarian takeover.
“This action is not just unconstitutional, it is an assault on democracy itself. The President does not have the power to arbitrarily remove an elected governor. Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution provides clear conditions for declaring a state of emergency, none of which justify this reckless action,” Atiku stated.
He further warned that Tinubu’s approach could set a dangerous precedent where any sitting president could exploit crises to dismantle state governments at will.
The coalition is rallying Nigerians to resist what they call an “executive overreach” that threatens the country’s federal structure. Atiku and his allies urged the National Assembly to reject Tinubu’s declaration and called on the judiciary to intervene decisively.
“The Nigerian people must stand up against this creeping dictatorship. The courts must act swiftly to prevent this unconstitutional power grab from becoming a norm,” Yunusa Tanko emphasized.
Other notable opposition figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, have signaled their support, with some sending their apologies for their absence at the event.
While Atiku and his allies framed their alliance as a defense of democracy, political observers see it as the early formation of a grand opposition front determined to unseat Tinubu in the next general election.
“This is not just about Rivers State,” said a top coalition insider. “It’s about the future of Nigeria. If Tinubu is allowed to get away with this, no state government will be safe from federal overreach.”
With 2027 on the horizon, the coalition’s emergence signals the beginning of a fierce political battle that could reshape Nigeria’s democratic landscape. The question remains: will this alliance hold firm, or will internal rivalries and party politics weaken their resolve? One thing is certain—Tinubu’s re-election bid now faces a formidable challenge from a united opposition determined to reclaim power.