The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the potential alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, saying it won’t be enough to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
During an interview with The Punch on Tuesday, the APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the opposition’s plan to combine their votes from the last election is futile, as it doesn’t guarantee a win.
Reacting to Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, who had earlier suggested that an alliance between Atiku and Obi could be enough to defeat the APC, citing their combined 12 million votes in the previous election, Bala Ibrahim stated that the opposition is still reeling from internal crises and lacks a viable strategy to defeat the APC.
Ibe also stated that the two opposition figures had learned their lessons and won’t repeat the mistake they made in 2023 again; he emphasized the fact that Nigerians deserve better.
He said, “Nigerians deserve better than what they are getting. It’s never been this bad in this country, and there is no hope.”
Meanwhile, Peter Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, emphasized that his principal is committed to collaborating with anyone who shares his vision for a better Nigeria.
Ibrahim said, “This dedication stems from his unshakeable optimism in the country’s potential and his focus on the welfare and prosperity of all citizens. Regarding Paul Ibe’s statement about Atiku’s willingness to unite with Obi, it’s clear that both leaders are open to working together to save Nigeria from the APC-led administration’s tyranny.
“However, Obi’s commitment to collaboration isn’t limited to any particular individual or party.”
“The opposition parties, including the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), have expressed mixed views on the potential alliance, with some arguing that a coalition of trustworthy leaders is needed to defeat the APC,” he added.
The APC’s dismissal of the Atiku-Obi alliance comes as the opposition continues to explore options for the 2027 elections.
