In what could become a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai are reportedly in the final stages of launching a new political alliance, with plans to formally unveil the platform before June 30, 2025.
The move, insiders say, is aimed at disrupting the traditional dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 general elections.
The alliance, which sources close to the principals have dubbed “Nigeria Rebuild Movement” (NRM) during informal consultations, brings together three of the most influential — and ideologically diverse — political figures in recent Nigerian history.
Atiku Abubakar, a veteran politician and serial presidential contender, brings a deep political network, especially in the North-East and North-West.
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party flagbearer, maintains a strong base among the youth and middle-class voters, particularly in the South-East and parts of the South-South.
Nasir El-Rufai, a former APC stalwart, is known for his technocratic style and bold political stances, appealing to both Northern intelligentsia and reform-minded conservatives.
According to sources, weeks of backdoor meetings in Lagos, Abuja, and even outside the country culminated in a consensus: a fresh platform is needed to present a credible, unifying alternative to the current political status quo.
Political analysts believe that each of the three leaders faced internal resistance or diminishing prospects within their former political bases:
Atiku has reportedly lost traction within the PDP, which is said to be considering younger candidates or regional zoning.
Obi’s Labour Party has been rocked by internal crises, legal wrangling, and credibility issues among key stakeholders.
El-Rufai, having fallen out with the APC’s central leadership, is believed to be seeking a more ideologically coherent vehicle for reform.
According to Dr. Amina Yusuf, a political science professor at Ahmadu Bello University, “This is not just a coalition of ambition. It’s a strategic realignment by three men who know they cannot win separately — but might pose a serious threat together.”
While the name, logo, and official party registration with INEC are still under wraps, leaks suggest that:
The party will focus on restructuring, security reform, youth employment, and economic transparency.
An inaugural policy framework and vision document is in the works and may be presented at a national summit scheduled for late June.
Talks are ongoing with other political figures, including governors, ex-ministers, and civil society leaders who may defect to the platform in the coming months.
A senior APC official dismissed the move as “a recycled gathering of desperate politicians,” while a PDP national spokesperson warned that “any so-called alliance without grassroots structures will fizzle out before 2026.”
However, social media reaction has been mixed to optimistic. A trending hashtag, #ThirdForce2027, has captured public imagination, with many young voters expressing hope for “a real alternative to recycled failures.”
The coalition plans to formally unveil the new political party on or before June 30, possibly in Abuja or Lagos. A national tour is expected to follow, along with townhall meetings in each geopolitical zone.
As 2027 looms, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether this new platform will gain traction or become just another short-lived experiment in a country known for political volatility.
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