Prof Pat Utomi, the Leader of the National Consultative Front, has outlined ongoing moves to solidify formidable coalition to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections described as serious business.
Utomi, one of the opposition movement’s leaders, stated that some disgruntled APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, as well as members of five other political parties, were interested in joining the coalition.
Utomi told The PUNCH that a large number of APC, PDP, and other political parties had expressed their willingness to join the alliance to save Nigeria from the edge.
He stated that various organisations and parties would join the coalition and establish an alliance, but that discussions about the specific platform to be used in the 2027 war were still underway.
Utomi said, “This is serious business. Nigeria is on the brink at a time of a changing global order.
“The approach we now take is to focus on core influence groups within parties.
“In this regard, there are good people who subscribe to our values and development strategy in APC and PDP who have significant following and believe there is a better way and have reached out to us.
“The Social Democratic Party that you have referred to is a work in progress. About five other parties are going through similar processes.
“Also bear in mind that huge numbers are getting ready to leave the APC and PDP and have been reaching out. But the core must be firmly fixed.”
Utomi emphasised the importance of self-sacrifice and collective decision-making in the coalition, following the announcement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders to form a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Among those present at the event where Atiku announced the coalition were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal; former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; a former gubernatorial hopeful in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Chief Peter Ameh; and Soni Monidafe, among others.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Utomi stressed that the coalition “aims to redeem the collapse of culture in Nigeria as well as show by example how a disciplined political party acts.”
The NCFront has hinted at the formation of a massive coalition in June, indicating that opposition parties and disgruntled members of the ruling All Progressives Congress are increasing behind-the-scenes negotiations to establish a strong alliance against the current government.
The discussions include significant stakeholders from the North and South, such as opposition parties, APC defectors, and civil society organisations.
According to opposition figures, northern stakeholders, in particular, are interested in forming a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu, claiming that his administration’s policies have disproportionately damaged their region.
Utomi went on to say that the coalition would run a government of national unity that is committed to advancing the common good in a democratic, transparent, and people-centred manner.
“It needs a national unity government focused on a developmental state focused on bringing progress to every nook and cranny of Nigeria, not egotists and narcissists looking for state capture to burnish bloated personal accounts around the world while their country slides into the economic abyss.
“Another point is that leadership of the new order must be collective. No more of the Buhari or “Baba sope” approach that got in the way of a collective good goal in the past iterations of rescue missions. Decisions must be made collectively. We will not be victims of groupthink anymore.
“A collective shadow team will be active shortly and, where necessary, we will turn to people power to reset the agenda of our country.
Speaking on the goals of the coalition, Utomi stressed, “It is to make democracy work for the people and to ensure a government with a people-centred focus accelerates constitutional reforms for a better working Nigeria.
“It also aims to redeem the collapse of culture in Nigeria as well as showing by example how a disciplined political party acts, especially in how more capable and values-driven people are recruited into public life.”
He added, “The change we deserve is about a core of people who are a self-sacrificing group focused on disciplined organization to move the apparatus of cooperation and state authority.
“It is also to advance the common good in an atmosphere of freedom that is democratic, transparent and people-centred because touts and criminals abound in many parties and will take money from those in power to simulate the appearance of crisis.”
