Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has clarified the intention behind the formation of a new opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that the alliance is a response to the perceived erosion of democratic values under the current administration.
Speaking amid rising speculation about an emerging power struggle for the coalition’s 2027 presidential ticket, Atiku emphasized that the initiative is not driven by personal political ambition or rivalry among high-profile figures such as himself, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, or Nasir El-Rufai.
According to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the primary goal of the coalition is to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy from what he described as “creeping authoritarianism” and the manipulation of the electoral process under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
“This is not an anti-Tinubu project; it is a pro-Nigerian movement. Nigerians must be the ultimate beneficiaries of this effort,” Atiku said.
He stressed that the coalition’s focus is on restoring democratic integrity and strengthening institutions, rather than pursuing political power for its own sake.
The formation of the opposition alliance has generated significant public interest, with observers viewing it as a potential realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Atiku insisted that the initiative remains issue-based and nationally driven, with the aim of building a broad, inclusive platform to challenge undemocratic tendencies.
The coalition, spearheaded by the ADC, is expected to bring together a diverse group of political stakeholders and civil society actors in a united front to promote credible elections and accountable governance.
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