Why Unity Is Key To The Opposition's 2027 Presidential Bid

Scope 29 Mar 2025

Unity Is the Key to Winning: Peter Olagookun's Call for Solidarity

In a world where politics often feels like a battlefield, Peter Olagookun, the Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State, is making a strong case for unity. He’s urging key opposition figures to come together and form a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to Olagookun, without this unity, the opposition has little chance of standing up to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party that has dominated the political scene.

Why Unity Matters in Politics

Let’s break it down. Imagine you're in a boxing ring, and your opponent is strong, experienced, and well-prepared. That’s the APC. Now, if the opposition shows up divided, with everyone pulling in different directions, they’re not going to stand a chance. Olagookun believes that the only way to challenge the APC effectively is by presenting a united front. It’s simple: strength in numbers.

In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure, Olagookun made it clear that the opposition needs to put aside personal ambitions and focus on what’s best for the country. He suggested that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar consider stepping aside to allow Rabiu Kwankwaso to emerge as the consensus candidate for the opposition. This move, he believes, could be a game-changer.

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Lessons from the 2023 Elections

It’s worth noting that during the 2023 general elections, the opposition fielded three strong candidates—Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rabiu Kwankwaso from the NNPP, and Peter Obi from the Labour Party (LP). Despite their individual strengths, they were all defeated by Bola Tinubu of the APC. The lesson here is clear: division weakens. If the opposition wants to win in 2027, they need to learn from their past mistakes and come together.

Olagookun emphasized that for the coalition to succeed, the opposition leaders must set aside their personal ambitions. He urged Atiku to support Kwankwaso as the opposition’s presidential candidate for 2027. It’s a bold call, but one that could pay off in a big way.

A Vision for the Future

Here’s what Olagookun envisions: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and others who are advocating for an opposition coalition should work together to persuade Atiku to step aside from the 2027 presidential race. He believes that Atiku should support Kwankwaso and that they should select a strong candidate from the South as his running mate. This arrangement, he argues, would make it much harder for the ruling party to withstand the opposition.

Olagookun also warned that without cooperation and compromise, the opposition coalition could fall apart before the 2027 elections. He stressed that Atiku’s selflessness in stepping aside would be recognized by history. “If Atiku steps aside, history will recognize his selflessness and national interest,” he said. “Kwankwaso is a credible candidate who can lead the opposition to victory in 2027.”

Praising Atiku’s Legacy

While urging Atiku to support Kwankwaso’s candidacy, Olagookun didn’t forget to acknowledge Atiku’s importance in Nigeria’s political landscape. He praised Atiku for his efforts to unite opposition leaders and for his contributions to the country’s development over the years. It’s a nod to the fact that even as we call for change, we must recognize and appreciate those who have paved the way.

As the countdown to the 2027 elections begins, the opposition has a golden opportunity to rewrite the narrative. But it all comes down to one thing: unity. If they can come together and present a united front, they just might have what it takes to challenge the APC and change the course of Nigerian politics. Let’s hope they take this advice to heart and make history, not just for themselves, but for the entire nation.