2027: Atiku, Obi, Makinde, Kwankwaso Storm David Mark’s Residence In High-Powered ‘Merge’ Talks

The political landscape in Nigeria shifted significantly on Wednesday as heavyweights from the leading opposition parties converged on the Federal Capital Territory for a closed-door meeting that has sent jitters through the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In what is being described as a “mega-solidarity” move, prominent figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) met at the Abuja residence of former Senate President, David Mark.

The high-powered gathering featured a “who’s who” of Nigerian politics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Aminu Tambuwal, and Rotimi Amaechi. Also in attendance were former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and elder statesman Jerry Gana.

Speaking shortly after the session, Governor Seyi Makinde clarified that the visit was a show of solidarity with the ADC following the #OccupyINEC protest staged earlier in the day.

“What has been happening within the political space, the courts, and the protest today—we came to show solidarity and commit to a clean democratic space in our country,” Makinde stated, signaling a unified front against what the opposition describes as a shrinking democratic space.

The ADC leadership had earlier marched to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Maitama, protesting the derecognition of the party’s leadership. The opposition figures alleged that President Bola Tinubu is orchestrating a plot to stifle dissenting voices to ensure he contests the 2027 presidential election unchallenged.

Adding a fiery dimension to the day’s events, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, addressed protesters during the rally with a stern warning. Amaechi cautioned Nigerians against returning the incumbent to power in 2027, alleging a plan to “ruin Abuja” and relocate the nation’s capital to Lagos.

“Tinubu must go,” the protesters chanted, as Amaechi urged citizens to be vigilant about the future of the country’s administrative center.

Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the meeting and the protests as the antics of “desperate” politicians. The ruling party insisted that the internal crisis rocking the ADC is “self-inflicted” and accused the opposition of concocting conspiracy theories to mask their thirst for power.

As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, this unprecedented gathering of Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso under one roof suggests that the talks of a “merger” or a “grand coalition” to unseat the APC may have moved from mere speculation to active coordination.