CHIKUN/KAJURU REP, HON. FIDELIX BAGUDU, ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE. (PHOTO).
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has declared that a proposed opposition coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi is “dead on arrival” ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Thursday, Olayinka argued that Atiku and Obi cannot work together due to irreconcilable differences, particularly over who would emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate. He dismissed the possibility of Obi joining the coalition, which is aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Olayinka emphasized that the coalition, spearheaded by Atiku, is doomed to fail because it primarily serves Atiku’s personal ambitions. “The moment you are talking about a coalition to benefit Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the coalition will not work,” he stated. He further questioned whether Atiku would allow Obi to lead the coalition as the presidential candidate or if Obi would agree to play a secondary role.
The aide highlighted the historical context of the duo’s partnership, noting that Obi served as Atiku’s running mate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, which they lost. Obi later left the PDP to contest the 2023 election as the Labour Party candidate. Despite Atiku’s recent invitation for Obi to join the opposition coalition, Olayinka insisted that mutual distrust and competing ambitions would prevent any collaboration.
“Is anything working in the coalition today? It has failed before they even started,” Olayinka remarked, underscoring the challenges facing opposition unity as the 2027 elections approach.
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