Opposition leaders meet to explore coalition

Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso and Makinde have scheduled a high-level meeting in Abuja on August 18 to explore coalition frameworks and establish a unified platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

Prominent political figures—including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Seyi Makinde—have scheduled a high-level consultative meeting in Abuja on August 18. The gathering aims to explore coalition frameworks and establish a unified platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting is a significant development in Nigeria’s political landscape. The opposition has been fragmented since the 2023 elections, and the meeting suggests that key figures are seeking to build a united front. The inclusion of Makinde, a sitting governor, adds weight to the initiative.

This echoes the 2014 opposition coalition that formed the APC, which also brought together disparate political figures. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a push for unity among opposition forces.

The winners: the opposition figures, who may build a coalition; and the Nigerian public, who may have a more competitive election. The losers: the APC, which faces a more unified opposition; and the Nigerian public, who must hope that the coalition will deliver better governance.

Bottom Line: Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso and Makinde are meeting on August 18. A coalition could be in the works. The question is whether the opposition can unite or will remain divided.