Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to form a united front against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. This move marks one of Nigeria’s biggest political shifts since the end of military rule in 1999.
They both left their former parties—Atiku departed from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Obi exited the Labour Party (LP). Their goal is to avoid repeating the division that helped Tinubu win in 2023. In that election, Tinubu secured 37% of the vote, Atiku earned 29%, and Obi received 25%.
The new coalition includes other prominent political figures. David Mark, a former Senate President, now leads the ADC as interim chairman. He described the alliance as essential for defending Nigeria’s democracy and avoiding a one-party system.
Political heavyweights like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi have also thrown their support behind the ADC. This broad coalition aims to attract a national base strong enough to rival Tinubu’s ruling party.
Atiku, now 78, is likely to run for president again. Obi, 63, is widely seen as his probable running mate. Though the coalition hasn’t confirmed candidates yet, political analysts believe this pairing is the most likely outcome.
Analyst Shehu Iliyasu believes they learned from their 2023 mistakes. He noted that their split cost them the presidency. Ben Kenneth also supports this view, saying they could have defeated Tinubu with a unified ticket.
However, not everyone agrees. Analyst Sani Hamisu argued that African incumbents rarely lose second-term bids. He said Tinubu’s current position gives him more power than he had in 2023.
Despite the growing buzz, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) doesn’t see the coalition as a threat. Acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori mocked the alliance, calling it an Abuja hotel gathering without national relevance. He predicted the group would collapse after another loss.
The PDP and LP have rejected any involvement in the coalition. PDP leaders want to contest 2027 independently. The LP told its supporters to stay loyal and insisted it has no plans to join the ADC-led alliance.
By teaming up under ADC, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi hope to shift the balance of power in 2027. Their combined strength could present Tinubu with his toughest challenge yet. However, their success depends on unity, voter trust, and sustained momentum over the next two years.
