Plans to establish a strong opposition coalition ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections are gaining momentum, as former Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State have been appointed to head two crucial committees that will guide the political direction of the alliance aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja during an expanded session of the League of Northern Democrats, a political organization that officially aligned itself with the rising opposition front.
The communique from the meeting was delivered by Dr. Umar Ardo, Convener of the LND.
Among those in attendance were prominent northern politicians, including former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and other influential figures. The wider coalition, which includes political veterans such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, is currently deliberating on whether to establish a new party or integrate with an existing one.
Speaking with journalists, Dr. Ardo provided insight into the specific mandates assigned to the two former governors.
“The coalition set up two committees, among others, to consider the desirability or feasibility of registering a new political party and to consider fusing into an existing political party,” he stated.
“The committee for fusing into another political party is headed by former Governor Liyel Imoke and the committee for registering a new political party was chaired by erstwhile Governor Rotimi Amaechi. I was the secretary of that subcommittee for the registering of new political parties.”
A final decision on which strategic path to follow is expected by May 30.
“We resolved to support the National Opposition Coalition Group for the transitional politics towards 2027 and to contribute in the dialogue on either to register a new political party as the vehicle to drive the politics or fuse into an existing political party,” Ardo added.
As deliberations continue, the alliance is also evaluating the potential of merging with existing parties such as the Action Democratic Party (ADP) or the Social Democratic Party (SDP), should consensus on forming a new party prove elusive.
“Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai brought a complaint that SDP is interested in being considered for the fusing. For that, the committee set up the 30th of this month to decide either to go with ADC, SDP or form a new political party. So, we in the LND here have resolved to support that position,” Ardo said.
He also disclosed the LND’s plan to directly confront the region’s most pressing challenges by engaging the 19 northern governors.
“We also resolved to engage the 19 northern governors on the terrible situation in the North – the endemic poverty, destitution, insecurity and unemployment facing Northern Nigeria. Most of us have agreed that the biggest problem is the inertia of our 19 northern governors,” he noted.
“We resolved that we are going to engage them one way or the other. We resolved to mobilize the North and by extension all Nigerians to pressure government, especially legislators to uphold, defend and protect the constitution of Nigeria,” Ardo concluded.
