The 2027 National Coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has declared that it will not be derailed by the recent wave of defections of governors and opposition leaders into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the wake of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection to the APC, along with other political figures, the coalition stated that its mission to offer Nigerians a credible political alternative remains on course.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Malam Salihu Moh Lukman, a secretariat leader and former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), stated that the defections were anticipated and would not distract the movement’s momentum.
He said: “We have gone far, and what has happened in terms of some governors and leaders moving into APC is not going to distract us at all.
“The full details of the coalition will soon be unveiled to Nigerians, including our structure and strategy for the 2027 elections.”
Lukman affirmed that more defections were likely, pointing out that the signs had been evident for some time.
“Anybody who says this wasn’t expected is only deceiving himself. The signals have been there. It’s not just one governor—we expect more to follow,” he noted.
He also criticized the state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as “a shadow of its former self,” while acknowledging that some within the party are still working hard to revive it.
However, he alleged that several PDP governors were covertly supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration, further undermining the opposition.
“When the governors issued a statement against the coalition, we said some of them were working for Asiwaju [Tinubu]. Shortly after, you saw statements from Akwa Ibom’s governor, and now Delta’s governor. More are coming,” Lukman added.
Speaking on the coalition’s long-term vision, he said their goal was not merely to defeat the APC but to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s leadership culture.
He said: “This is not about just removing Asiwaju or defeating APC. It’s about correcting the mistakes of both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations and restoring the national vision.
“We want to produce leaders that Nigerians can truly be proud of—leaders who are accountable, not emperors.”
He stressed that the new political platform being formed would be selective and principled, accepting individuals based on their past conduct and commitment to national development.
“We are not blind to the character of politicians. Anyone joining us will be assessed based on their trajectory. This is about rescuing Nigeria, not recycling the same failures,” he said.
Lukman concluded by reiterating that the coalition’s ultimate objective is to build a united and inclusive Nigeria, governed by accountable leaders.
“We don’t want a sectional government. We want a leadership that places the country above personal gain. What we are doing is negotiating a coalition to produce a truly united Nigeria—and a government that every Nigerian can trust,” he said.
