Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Atiku Abubakar emphasized that the recently launched coalition of opposition figures—including Peter Obi, Nasir El‑Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi—is focused on rescuing Nigeria from APC’s misrule, not serving individual ambitions.
Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibeh, stated on Arise News that:
The coalition is not about Atiku…it has gone beyond that. It is like the G34 movement that rescued Nigeria from years of military rule.”
He reiterated that the coalition seeks to protect democratic values and save the nation from a deteriorating system under APC governance, not to promote personal political aspirations.
Atiku unveiled the alliance during a joint press conference in Abuja on March 20, 2025, joined by:
Peter Obi, former 2023 LP presidential candidate
Nasir El‑Rufai, ex-Kaduna governor (now in SDP)
Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers governor
Other stakeholders like David Mark, Babachir Lawal, Rauf Aregbesola, and various regional leaders
Former governors Fayemi and Amaechi issued apologies for their absence at the event.
Atiku cast the alliance in the mold of the G34 movement, which helped transition Nigeria back to democratic rule. This coalition is framed as a national movement—not centered on personalities.
Its purpose: to halt APC overreach (highlighting issues like Rivers State emergency) and promote constitutional governance.
APC Reaction: The party dismissed the coalition as “fraudulent,” saying participants simply defected to ADC—a political shift, not a coalition.
Critics’ View: Figures like former Governor Seriake Dickson derided the coalition builders as “professional conspirators,” arguing the move shows recycled elites rather than fresh leadership.
Internal PDP Skepticism: Some in the PDP warn that if Atiku were to become the party’s 2027 candidate, it might undermine PDP’s unity and credibility.
Atiku consistently frames the coalition as a collective national effort—a democratic response to the failings of the current administration—not an ego-driven venture. Its stated purpose is to offer an alternative vision for governance, rooted in unity, constitutionalism, and reform. Whether the coalition can rally public support across Nigeria’s diverse political landscape remains to be seen.
