The Presidency has denied mounting speculation about a grand political coalition allegedly taking shape to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections, branding the claims as nothing more than “political hallucinations.”
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, made the rebuttal in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. He dismissed ongoing media reports and political commentary suggesting a united opposition front is emerging to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“To say a political coalition is surging when in fact no one is interested in it is a political hallucination,” Bwala wrote.
He further stated that key political stakeholders and institutions, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), have distanced themselves from any coalition efforts.
“The Governors’ Forum of PDP said they are not interested. The NWC of PDP said the same. Peter Obi recently clarified that he is not in any coalition talks. Labour Party officials also confirmed no involvement,” Bwala noted.
In contrast, he said, the APC continues to gain political ground, with several high-profile opposition figures defecting to the ruling party, including a former vice-presidential candidate of the PDP from the 2023 general elections.
“It is not a coalition, but hallucination,” he added, reaffirming the Presidency’s confidence in the APC’s current trajectory.
Despite the Presidential aide’s remarks, political observers note that discontent within both the ruling party and opposition ranks continues to fuel speculation of an eventual realignment. Notably, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who polled nearly seven million votes in the 2023 election, has consistently hinted at his intent to lead a formidable opposition ahead of the next cycle.
Also contributing to growing political tension is the exit of prominent APC members, such as former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and ex-SGF Babachir Lawal. In a more dramatic turn, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai recently announced his departure from the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), criticizing President Tinubu’s leadership and urging Nigerians to work collectively to unseat the ruling party in 2027.
Although official coalition talks remain unconfirmed, the ongoing shifts in political allegiance suggest the road to Tinubu’s potential second term may not be without significant hurdles.
