Ahead of 2027 general elections, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other key political figures, has announced the formation of a new opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, where Atiku, flanked by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party spokesperson Yunusa Tanko, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, addressed journalists.

Responding to a question on whether the gathering signalled the launch of a coalition to remove Tinubu from office, Atiku confirmed, “Yes.”

While at the press briefing, the opposition leaders strongly condemned Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. Atiku described the action as unconstitutional and an overreach of presidential powers, calling on Nigerians to reject it.

Among the opposition leaders present at the press conference were Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi (represented by Yunusa Tanko), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties Peter Ahmeh.

Other prominent politicians, including former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, were absent but sent their apologies.

The newly formed coalition signaled the start of what could become a major political movement ahead of the 2027 elections, with leaders pledging to unite opposition forces against Tinubu’s administration.