Dominic Alancha, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised alarms over the potential threat posed by a united opposition alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television program on Wednesday, Alancha warned that if both opposition leaders align under a single presidential ticket, they could significantly weaken the APC’s support base nationwide.
Alancha noted that the combined political strength of Atiku and Obi—who collectively secured over 12 million votes in the 2023 elections, outperforming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by more than four million votes—could be amplified if they unite.
“In 2027, the dynamics may change. If Peter Obi and Atiku align and present a united front, they could easily pull 13 to 14 million votes. That would seriously impact our chances”, he cautioned.
The warning comes as opposition leaders, including Atiku, Obi, ex-Senate President David Mark, ex-ministers Rauf Aregbesola and Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their coalition platform on July 2, 2025.
This move signals their intent to challenge Tinubu’s administration, which has faced criticism over economic challenges like inflation and the rising cost of living.
Alancha, who also serves as the leader of the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), advised President Tinubu to reconsider the party’s controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket strategy from 2023, warning that retaining it could alienate northern Christians and provide the opposition with a strong campaign tool.
“If the Muslim-Muslim ticket is retained, it’s going to pose a threat and deplete our support base. The opposition coalition is not sleeping; they are working very seriously”, he noted.
He stressed the importance of early preparation to address these vulnerabilities, stating: “Preparation precedes manifestation. If you’re not preparing to succeed, then you must have been planning to fail.”
Alancha also cautioned that while the political atmosphere may seem calm now, tensions are likely to escalate once campaigns begin, especially if the APC fails to address concerns raised by grassroots supporters.
The NENF had previously urged Tinubu to avoid repeating the 2023 formula, stressing that it limited the party’s appeal in critical regions.
Alancha’s remarks highlight the growing concern within the APC over the opposition coalition’s strategy, which could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape in 2027.
