“Analyst Declares Coalition with Atiku ‘Dead on Arrival’ as 2027 Political Plans Unfold”

Veteran political analyst, Jide Ojo, has stirred the political hornet’s nest with his blunt assessment of ongoing opposition coalition talks ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Ojo dismissed the viability of any political alliance centered around former Vice President and 2023 presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, branding such efforts as “dead on arrival.”

This criticism comes in light of recent reports that key opposition figures—including Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—are in talks to use the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the coalition’s flagship party. The move, insiders claim, is aimed at forming a united front capable of toppling the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Bola Tinubu, in the next electoral cycle.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Tuesday’s meeting among the political heavyweights marked a decisive moment in their collaboration. They reportedly resolved to rejuvenate and restructure the ADC, giving it new life as a credible alternative platform. An official announcement is expected soon, signaling the coalition’s readiness to challenge the ruling party.

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Yet, Ojo remains unconvinced. He argues that Atiku’s extensive political journey—characterized by multiple presidential defeats, internal party rifts, and unfulfilled alliances—has significantly damaged his credibility. “A coalition built around Atiku lacks the freshness and dynamism that Nigerians are yearning for,” Ojo stated. He emphasized that younger voters, who make up a large part of the electorate, are weary of “recycled politicians” and are instead seeking leaders who embody new ideas and generational change.

Ojo pointed out that while opposition unity is essential, it must not be anchored on a figure who has already been tested—and, in his view, found wanting. “Any successful coalition must be forward-thinking, youth-driven, and rooted in innovation. Sadly, Atiku doesn’t fit that mold anymore,” he said.

He further criticized the choice of ADC as the coalition’s vehicle, noting its lackluster performance in previous elections. Despite former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2019 endorsement of ADC as a “third force,” the party failed to gain significant traction. “ADC’s chair has been at the helm for 17 years, and yet the party has remained on the periphery. It’s hard to see how the same structure will suddenly become a powerhouse,” Ojo argued.

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While acknowledging that the opposition has a fighting chance to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, Ojo insisted that this is only possible if Atiku voluntarily steps back from presidential ambition. “In as much as the coalition is meant to favor Atiku, it is going to be dead on arrival. Nigerians will not elect an octogenarian in 2027,” he said bluntly.

Atiku, who will turn 80 in 2027, represents, in Ojo’s view, a generational gap that the majority of voters are no longer willing to overlook. “The youth are now more vocal, and they want leaders who represent their aspirations—not those who have been on the political scene since before some of them were born,” he added.

He also highlighted the geopolitical dynamics at play. Following President Tinubu’s potential two terms, a general sentiment prevails that power should remain in the South. Atiku, being a Northern politician, would go against that grain. “Unless Atiku publicly retires and assumes a statesman role, any coalition aiming to promote him as a candidate will crash before takeoff,” Ojo warned.

The opposition, Ojo advises, must begin grooming and showcasing credible Southern candidates who can offer a compelling vision for Nigeria’s future. Only by moving beyond old power blocs can they build a viable path to the presidency.

As the nation braces for another political showdown, all eyes are now on how this coalition unfolds—and whether Atiku will heed calls to step aside for a younger, more unifying figure.