By Wellington Jopelo
Fresh division is threatening Nigeria’s opposition movement ahead of the 2027 elections as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s reported push for a northern presidential candidate faces growing resistance from key political figures.
The disagreement is deepening uncertainty within the opposition bloc, especially after increasing calls for power to remain in the South after President Bola Tinubu’s first term.
Supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso are said to be strongly against another northern presidential ticket, insisting that fairness and political balance demand that the South complete eight years in power.
Sources within the coalition revealed that northern stakeholders backing the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance have already begun mobilising support around a possible southern presidency with an understanding of a one-term arrangement.
Kwankwaso reportedly argued that many northern leaders accepted Obi as the “most capable ally” within the emerging opposition movement because unity against the ruling APC had become more important than prolonged zoning battles.
The growing disagreement is creating fresh tension among opposition politicians trying to build a united front capable of challenging Tinubu in 2027.
Political insiders say the crisis is no longer just about zoning but also about control of the coalition structure and who eventually emerges as the face of the opposition movement.
The situation became even more complicated after Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso distanced themselves from the ADC coalition and aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress following internal disputes and leadership battles.
Despite the setback, Atiku’s camp insists the broader opposition coalition remains alive and capable of producing a strong candidate before the election season fully begins.
Meanwhile, supporters of Obi maintain that zoning the presidency back to the North immediately after Tinubu would weaken trust in power rotation and reduce southern support for any coalition arrangement.
Observers believe the latest disagreement exposes deeper political mistrust within the opposition, where regional interests and personal ambitions are increasingly colliding behind the scenes.
As consultations continue across different camps, attention is now focused on whether opposition leaders can overcome the growing internal battle or head into 2027 divided once again.