By Titilope Adako
A coalition of opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has emerged to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku confirmed the coalition’s formation, responding affirmatively when asked if the gathering aimed to unseat Tinubu in 2027.
The coalition leaders condemned Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of democratic principles.
Atiku, reading from a prepared statement, accused the president of undermining democracy by suspending the state’s elected officials.
He stated, “We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on the constitution of our country and the institutions of our democracy.”
He argued that the crisis in Rivers State did not meet the constitutional criteria for an emergency declaration, insisting that Tinubu’s actions were politically motivated.
Listing constitutional breaches, Atiku highlighted the removal of elected officials, misuse of Section 305 on a state of emergency, and failure to follow due process.
According to him, “Without any doubts, the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the President to remove an elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or State Assembly under any circumstances.”
The coalition also accused Tinubu’s administration of manufacturing a crisis to justify federal control over Rivers State, warning that such moves threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku called for the immediate reversal of the state of emergency, urging the National Assembly to reject Tinubu’s actions and the judiciary to intervene.
He concluded, “We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos.”
Other key opposition figures, including former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, and ex-APC chairman Abdullahi Adamu, were also linked to the coalition, with some sending apologies for their absence at the press conference.
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