Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that prominent opposition figures including Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi are aligning in a united front to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Shaibu said the alliance, which cuts across political lines, is being built on a shared commitment to what he described as a mission to “rescue Nigeria.”
“From Atiku to Obi, from Amaechi to El-Rufai, they are uniting — not just to win, but to rescue,” he stated.
The opposition spokesman predicted Tinubu’s defeat at the polls, citing widespread public discontent over what he described as increasing economic hardship under the current administration.
He characterized Tinubu’s government as “a group of urban bandits” who came to power not through merit, but “the instrumentality of manipulation.”
“The urban bandits may have mocked their hashtags, but they will soon learn that hashtags grow into hurricanes,” he warned.
Shaibu further argued that the growing frustration of Nigerians over inflation, devaluation of salaries, and a rising cost of living would ultimately overpower government efforts at political messaging or public relations.
“No amount of propaganda can cover hunger. No PR can spin poverty,” he said. “When salaries are worthless, businesses are folding, and hope is taxed, no billboard or ‘thank you’ rally can save you.”
He also criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he termed a betrayal of its 2023 campaign slogan.
“The APC promised ‘Renewed Hope’ but delivered ‘Renewed Hardship’,” he said.
Shaibu’s remarks add to growing speculation about the possible formation of a mega-opposition coalition in the lead-up to 2027, potentially reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
