Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have renewed calls for unity, conscience-driven leadership and a genuinely free electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that political power ultimately belongs to the Nigerian people, not governors or ruling parties.
The two opposition leaders spoke in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of The Loyalist, a new book by former APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, an event that also served as a rallying point for leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition blocs.
Atiku, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, used the occasion to deliver a scathing critique of the current administration, describing it as the worst Nigeria has witnessed in nearly four decades of political life.
"This convergence within the ADC is perhaps the only positive development in our recent political history," Atiku said. "Many of us helped form the APC because we believed it would rescue Nigeria. That rescue has clearly failed. We now have a responsibility, once again, to come together and offer Nigerians a credible alternative."
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He stressed that loyalty in politics must never be blind or self-serving, arguing that true loyalty should be anchored on accountability, justice and the common good.
"Loyalty should strengthen our shared goals, not narrow the circle of belonging," he said, recalling how he had suffered exile and assassination attempts in defence of democratic principles. "Leadership requires courage, compassion and consistency. Without these, institutions collapse and trust evaporates."
In his remarks, Peter Obi emphasised the importance of ideas, lived experiences and collective responsibility in nation-building, while also reaffirming his commitment to representing the South-East within the emerging opposition coalition.
"I enjoy reading books that capture lived experiences because they teach lessons we all need," Obi said. "I have been asked to represent the South-East, and I assure you, you will not be disappointed. We will stand firm, we will stand together, and we will not fail the Nigerian people."
Obi congratulated the author and urged more public figures to document their experiences for the benefit of future generations, describing literature as a vital tool for shaping public conscience and national values.
The strongest electoral warning of the day, however, came from former Minister of Interior and ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, who dismissed claims that mass defections of governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could guarantee victory in 2027.
According to Aregbesola, recent electoral data clearly shows that governors do not determine election outcomes when polls are conducted freely and fairly.
"In the South-West, where the APC controlled almost all the states, the party could only manage about 55 per cent of the votes in the last election," he said. "In Lagos, the APC candidate lost his ward, his local government and the state. In the South-East, the APC recorded just 5.8 per cent of the total votes. These results prove one thing: governors do not win elections, the people do."
He challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to democracy by guaranteeing a transparent electoral process.
"Let them first commit to a free and fair election," Aregbesola said. "Then we will see whether defections truly matter."
Earlier, former Senate President David Mark described the task of rescuing Nigeria as a collective mission, praising Abdullahi as a principled and patriotic Nigerian whose counsel had always been guided by national interest rather than personal gain.
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"The Doctrine of Necessity was the sole responsibility of the Senate," Mark clarified, dismissing attempts to politicise the historic decision along regional lines.
In his address, the author Bolaji Abdullahi made an emotional appeal for unity within the opposition, warning that Nigerians are watching closely and are desperate for a credible alternative.
"For 2027, Nigerians are ready, but we are not ready enough," he said. "They see competition instead of cooperation. They see enclaves instead of unity. This country has no substitute. We must come together, and we must not fail."
Abdullahi urged opposition leaders to channel their supporters' energy into a single political platform, insisting that the mission to rescue Nigeria must be bigger than individual ambitions.
