As talks intensify among opposition parties to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, northern stakeholders are advocating for southern aspirants to commit to a single-term agreement. The push for this agreement is gaining traction as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at uniting opposition forces to unseat the current administration.
A source involved in the coalition talks, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak on the matter, the northern stakeholders are urging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to run in the upcoming election. The source added that many within the coalition believe that a united front supporting a southern candidate could increase their chances of defeating President Tinubu.
The coalition, formed on March 20, includes key political figures such as Atiku, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who are all rallying together with the goal of challenging Tinubu’s re-election bid. The formation of the coalition has been seen as a direct response to the growing dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially amid rising inflation and security concerns.
Atiku, a strong advocate for opposition unity, has emphasized the importance of collaboration among various political groups. On March 8, he announced his efforts to unite opposition parties under a common cause to challenge the APC in 2027. These efforts were further bolstered after El-Rufai’s switch from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 10, giving the opposition movement a new momentum.
However, as the coalition negotiations continue, debates surrounding the issue of zoning and the potential candidacy of Atiku have emerged as major obstacles. Northern stakeholders, in particular, are pushing for a southern candidate to emerge as the coalition’s standard-bearer, with the understanding that this individual would agree to serve only a single term if elected. The rationale behind this proposal is to provide a fair and balanced power-sharing arrangement between the regions.
The source involved in the discussions further revealed that a key concern for the coalition is the North-South power dynamics, with most stakeholders agreeing that supporting a credible and competent southern candidate would increase the likelihood of defeating Tinubu. The source said, “There are numerous concerns among all stakeholders, with the North-South issue being the primary concern. We believe that a southern candidate, if they agree to a single-term commitment, would have a better chance of winning.”
Peter Ahmeh, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), confirmed that the proposal for a southern aspirant to sign a single-term agreement is under consideration. Ahmeh expressed confidence that the opposition forces against Tinubu are now stronger than those that faced former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, adding that the decision on the single-term proposal will be finalized soon. He said, “The signing of a single-term agreement by a southerner is part of the discussions, but it has not been concluded yet. There are many options on the table, and we will communicate the final decision to the public once it is reached.”
Atiku Abubakar, through his media aide Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the speculation surrounding the single-term proposal. Ibe emphasized that all agreements within the coalition would be binding once discussions are concluded, and he urged all stakeholders to avoid drawing conclusions prematurely. He stated, “The agreement must be reached by all parties, and once it is, it will be binding. For now, discussions are ongoing, and it’s important that we work towards building a strong, united coalition.”
Meanwhile, Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the SDP, confirmed that consultations are still ongoing but declined to provide details on the progress of those discussions. He said, “Consultations are still ongoing nationwide, and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
However, Timothy Osadolor, the PDP National Youth Leader, criticized the push for a single-term commitment from a southern candidate, calling it premature. Osadolor argued that the coalition should remain open to all capable Nigerians, regardless of their region. He said, “It’s too early to narrow the contest to just the South. We should allow capable Nigerians, no matter where they come from, to run for the presidency. The most important thing is that we unite behind a strong candidate, and that decision should be a collective democratic one.”
As the coalition discussions continue, it is clear that the political landscape for the 2027 elections is shifting, with opposition parties working towards a common goal of challenging President Tinubu’s re-election bid. The coming weeks will likely determine whether a united opposition can overcome its internal challenges and present a formidable challenge to the ruling party.
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