‘None of them consulted their party leadership’ Shekarau faults opposition coalition

A former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has cast doubt over the possibility of any coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Daily Trust had reported how former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at a press conference in Abuja, announced the formation of a coalition aimed at unseating the present government […]

A former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has cast doubt over the possibility of any coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Daily Trust had reported how former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at a press conference in Abuja, announced the formation of a coalition aimed at unseating the present government in 2027.

But in a statement by his Spokesperson, Dr. Sule Yau, Shekarau, who is also the leader of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), said while the coalition was a good development, it would be difficult to achieve its goal as, according to him, none of the figures officially consulted the leadership of their respective parties.

He said, “This is just a gathering of certain individuals with political ambitions; none of them has officially consulted their party leadership.

• Natasha’s allegations must be investigated – Amnesty Int’l
• Rivers: Keep your opinion to yourself, Tinubu’s minister tells Kwankwaso

“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership.” Shekarau further added.

Contrasting the current alliance with the 2013 merger that led to the formation of the APC, which involved the unification of four registered parties; the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), he said: “The first political merger in Nigeria happened in 2013 when four registered parties merged to form the APC. So, technically, the APC is not a ‘new party.’

“It was an alliance of registered opposition political parties that were already well-established, with elected state governors, state and National Assembly members, and significant grassroots support.

“What happened at the National Assembly on March 20, 2025, regarding the ‘State of Emergency’ in Rivers State has exposed the so-called coalition. it is clear they have no control over opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly.

“If the coalition leaders had any real influence, the APC government would not have secured the required votes for the law’s passage.

“The 2019 ‘coalition’ was formally launched almost a year before the elections at the Yar’Adua Center, yet none of the then-elected PDP leaders was in attendance.

“No amount of noise-making or informal alliances by individual politicians in the name of opposition will have any impact in elections unless the full leadership structure of opposition parties at all levels is involved.

“It is however, not too late. I believe that with the right vision, mission, and focus, combined with a genuine sense of purpose, the opposition can change its narrative in 2025 and position itself for success in the 2027 elections.

“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership,” Shekarau added.