The unity of the opposition’s main players is crucial to the success of their proposed coalition, according to Peter Olagookun, the chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State.
In his opinion, the coalition can only successfully oppose the incumbent party in the 2027 elections by presenting a unified front.
Olagookun said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Thursday that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar need to think about resigning so that Rabiu Kwankwaso may become the opposition’s nominee for president in 2027.
In the 2023 election, Kwankwaso, Abubakar, and Peter Obi were the designated presidential candidates for the NNPP, PDP, and LP, respectively.
Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated all three candidates.
Though Kwankwaso has refuted these accusations, there have been rumors since the election that the three opposition leaders would form an alliance to run against Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku affirmed on March 20 that he and other opposition leaders would join forces to unseat the ruling party in 2027.
In the 2027 presidential election, Olagookun called on opposition leaders to put aside their own ambitions and back Kwankwaso as the front-runner.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and others advocating for an opposition coalition should persuade Atiku to step aside from the 2027 presidential race,” Olagookun said.
“He should support his colleague, Kwankwaso, and together they should select a strong candidate from the South as his running mate. I believe that with this arrangement, the ruling party will struggle to withstand the opposition.”
Olagookun cautioned, nevertheless, that the alliance would collapse and fall apart before to the 2027 election if there was not this degree of unanimity.
“If Atiku steps aside, history will recognize his selflessness and national interest,” he added. “Kwankwaso is a credible candidate who can lead the opposition to victory in 2027.”
Olagookun also commended Atiku for his contributions to the advancement of the country and his attempts to bring opposition leaders together.
