A chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to join the party, warning that his decision could determine the success or failure of opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Galadima made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, where he stressed the need for a united opposition front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He noted that several key opposition figures have already aligned with the NDC in a bid to form a formidable coalition, urging Atiku to follow suit in order to strengthen efforts to unseat the current administration led by Bola Tinubu.
According to Galadima, prominent politicians such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have moved into the NDC after broader consultations, a development he described as a step toward consolidating opposition unity.
He warned that Atiku’s refusal to join the emerging coalition could weaken the opposition’s chances, adding that such a move might be interpreted as undermining efforts to build a unified platform for the 2027 elections.
Galadima further argued that remaining outside the NDC could limit Atiku’s political prospects, suggesting that continued alignment elsewhere may affect his ability to contest effectively in the next general election.
The comments come amid ongoing political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space, as parties and influential figures reposition themselves ahead of 2027.
However, the African Democratic Congress and allies of Atiku have dismissed speculation that the former vice-president is set to defect, maintaining that no such decision has been taken.
The evolving situation underscores growing efforts among opposition leaders to build alliances capable of mounting a strong challenge in the next electoral cycle.
