Will the New Coalition’s Game Plan Work Ahead of 2027?

With the shadow of Nigeria’s 2027 elections almost upon us, a political coalition is quietly but steadily taking shape. Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai—all these are rumoured to be among the primary players seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s rule. But while the idea of unity excites many, undercurrents of ambition and division peek through that may derail the collective effort.

At the heart of the coalition’s strategy is the unspoken contest for power. Atiku’s northern supporters argue for his candidacy, while Obi and Amaechi’s southern camps remain steadfast in their demand for power to stay in the south. El-Rufai is like a boat in the midst of a storm. How can these competing interests form anything but a delicate and potentially divisive tension?

Critics have already noted that any success from the coalition would rest on its ability to match and merge divergent interests. But whispers abound that the players are not even sure of what political party flag to wave or ride from. The responses from the public have also been interesting.

Some view this coalition as a breath of fresh air for Nigeria’s stagnating democracy. Still, others question its viability in the long term. It seems that few members of the public are deceived. As the coalition’s actors seem to be drifting between personal desires and national interest, it is clear that striking a needed balance continues to elude them. How will they fulfill this camouflage mission then?

This is where the analogy of a house divided finds its relevance. In the quest for 2027, the coalition risks becoming an echo of past failed attempts, where personal interests destroyed any hope for real progress. But history has also shown that when such alliances hold together, the result can be transformative.

Thus, as 2027 approaches, the stakes are high. A coalition weakened by internal strife could easily be steamrolled by Tinubu’s APC. However, if the group manages to unite and compromise, it may yet become a formidable challenge. Only time will tell if the political will for unity outweighs the personal ambitions threatening to splinter it.