A former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has publicly dismissed the much-discussed coalition of opposition political parties aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, labeling it a futile endeavor. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, April 18, 2025, Fayose, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), argued that the coalition lacks credibility and support from prominent Nigerians. “Their coalition is a dead horse ab initio. Tell me one positive person, well-respected Nigerians that has given his voice in support of this coalition,” he stated.
The coalition, reportedly led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), aims to unite opposition forces to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid. Other notable figures, such as Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, have also been linked to the coalition, which operates under the banner of Coalition 2027. The group has gained attention for its outreach efforts, particularly in the Niger Delta, where it is reportedly mobilizing support among the Ijaw ethnic group following President Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Despite these efforts, Fayose argued that the coalition is doomed to fail due to a lack of unity within the PDP, particularly among its governors. He pointed to a recent meeting of PDP governors in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they explicitly rejected any merger or coalition with other parties, signaling their distance from Atiku’s initiative. “The (PDP) governors’ actions and statement in Ibadan is to tell Atiku that we are not with you, we are going nowhere, we have our own identity,” Fayose explained. He emphasized that the governors are prioritizing their own political survival and prefer aligning with Tinubu over supporting Atiku.
Fayose further highlighted internal challenges within the PDP, stating, “Something is fundamentally wrong with the PDP that needs to be fixed before the party could talk about strongly challenging the ruling party.” He suggested that the coalition exists only “in the imagination of people trying to bring it to fruition” and described it as a “waste of time.” His remarks align with sentiments from other PDP figures, such as Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, who called the coalition “impractical” and a “wild goose chase,” citing historical failures of similar alliances.
The coalition’s proponents, however, remain undeterred. Atiku has insisted that the “coalition train has left the station,” emphasizing its inclusivity and openness to any platform that ensures good governance. The group has criticized the PDP governors for undermining the opposition’s efforts, with coalition strategist Salihu Lukman arguing that the alliance is a viable option to defeat the APC and rescue Nigeria’s democracy. Despite these assertions, resistance from PDP governors, including Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, who have declared support for Tinubu’s re-election, poses a significant setback.
The APC, led by National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, has also dismissed the coalition’s prospects, asserting that it lacks a cohesive base and that Nigerians will continue to support Tinubu in 2027 due to his performance. Presidency officials, including Special Adviser Daniel Bwala, have labeled the coalition a “desperate grab for power” and accused El-Rufai of opportunistic maneuvers.
The debate over the coalition underscores deep divisions within Nigeria’s opposition, particularly the PDP, and raises questions about its ability to mount a unified challenge against the APC. Fayose’s outspoken rejection, combined with the PDP governors’ stance, highlights the uphill battle facing Atiku, El-Rufai, and their allies as they seek to reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
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