As Nigeria approaches the halfway mark of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term, the political atmosphere is growing tense, and signs of a major electoral storm are beginning to surface. What initially seemed like a distant contest now bears the markings of a full-blown political war, as opposition heavyweights begin to circle the 2027 general elections with sharpened intent.
A formidable opposition coalition is reportedly in the works—one that could threaten to upend the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s grip on power. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai are currently engaged in serious negotiations to form a united front ahead of 2027. Multiple sources, including a Bloomberg report, suggest the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is being considered as the umbrella party for this alliance—a strategic move aimed at consolidating votes and avoiding the fatal fragmentation that plagued opposition parties in past elections.
The potential impact of such a coalition cannot be understated. These are not fringe actors. Each of these men commands a solid political base: Atiku in the North, Obi in the Southeast and among urban youth, and El-Rufai with his political machinery in parts of the North and his technocratic appeal in the South. El-Rufai’s recent defection from the APC, accompanied by stinging criticism of Tinubu’s leadership, signals a deeper fracture within the ruling party and positions him as a key figure in what could become a historic electoral alliance.
The APC is not blind to the danger. In an attempt to show party unity and confidence, top party leaders recently threw their weight behind Tinubu’s second-term ambition. But endorsements alone are unlikely to shield the President from the growing public dissatisfaction with his administration’s policies. Since the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, Nigeria’s economic woes have deepened. As of April 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics reports food inflation has spiked to 40.53%, while the World Bank states that over 87 million Nigerians now live in extreme poverty. The cost of living crisis continues to drive unrest, and the middle class is shrinking by the day.
Despite the optimism among opposition supporters, the proposed coalition still faces serious internal hurdles. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has already distanced itself from the merger talks, highlighting the challenge of uniting Nigeria’s notoriously fragmented political elite. Past attempts at similar coalitions have often collapsed under the weight of personal ambition, ethnic rivalries, and last-minute defections. Whether this effort will be any different remains to be seen.
Yet, there is an unmistakable shift in the political wind. Across the country, disillusionment is mounting. Conversations about the next election are no longer confined to political circles—they’ve spilled into markets, motor parks, classrooms, and pulpits. The sense of national hardship is palpable, and the electorate appears more alert and less forgiving.
President Tinubu, long regarded as a master political strategist, is certainly not underestimating the stakes. But the question remains: can he navigate the growing discontent and fractured landscape to secure a second term?
The race for 2027 may still be two years away, but the battle has already begun. If the opposition gets its act together, the upcoming election may not be a continuation—it may be a confrontation.
In 2027, Nigerians may not simply vote. They may roar!
