A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dominic Alancha, has warned that a possible alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi could seriously weaken the ruling party’s chances in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Alancha said the opposition bloc could command up to 14 million votes if the two leaders present a joint ticket.
“In 2027, the dynamics may not be the same as in 2023. If Peter Obi and Atiku can align, have a consensus amongst themselves, and agree on a single ticket, I’m telling you it’s going to deplete our support base because, at the table, they already have over 13 to 14 million votes,” he cautioned.
On July 2, opposition leaders including Atiku, Obi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-ministers Rauf Aregbesola and Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
The coalition comes amid rising criticism of Tinubu’s administration over inflation, rising living costs, and economic hardship. Atiku and Obi, who jointly polled over 12 million votes in 2023—four million more than Tinubu—are viewed as the coalition’s strongest assets.
Alancha, who also leads the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), advised Tinubu against retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, warning that it could become a potent campaign weapon for the opposition.
“If the Muslim-Muslim ticket is retained, it’s going to pose a threat and deplete our support base. The opposition coalition is not sleeping; they are working very seriously. If Obi and Atiku come together, we are talking almost 14 million votes against our eight million votes from the 2023 general elections,” he said.
The NENF had previously cautioned that the 2023 formula alienated northern Christians and weakened APC’s reach.
Meanwhile, speculation is growing over a possible 2027 comeback bid by former President Goodluck Jonathan. While Jonathan has yet to declare interest, reports suggest quiet lobbying within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alancha described the push as a serious undercurrent in northern politics.
“Jonathan is around the corner. Nobody should wave aside that issue because it’s a serious one. There are certain persons within the North pushing for Jonathan, ‘bring back Jonathan to them’. In fact, they are forming a cult-like following around that agenda,” he said.
He added that a ballot featuring Jonathan, Atiku, and Obi would make it impossible for the APC to sustain its 2023 ticket structure.
“If Jonathan is on the ballot, and Atiku and Obi are also there, believe me, the Muslim-Muslim ticket is not going to fly. Let’s have a balance on that ticket,” Alancha advised.
While some within the PDP back Jonathan’s possible return, critics argue it is ill-timed, given the party’s internal crises and the wave of high-profile resignations.
