A political coalition made up of various opposition figures and groups is now considering former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as a potential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
This move comes as efforts to bring together Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi under a single platform face growing challenges.
The coalition, currently operating without a formal structure, is also working towards forming a new political party named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The plan is to provide a new space for opposition forces who feel that joining or merging with existing parties might cause internal conflicts or legal troubles.
The proposed ADA could serve as a fresh base, especially if attempts to unite under parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fail.
Amaechi’s name came into focus after his 60th birthday event, where he spoke openly about distancing himself from President Bola Tinubu’s political ambitions.
According to insiders within the coalition, the private lecture held in Abuja was not just a celebration but a way to quietly measure public interest in Amaechi’s possible return to presidential politics.
The coalition sees him as a viable alternative if Atiku and Obi continue with their current plans to contest again.
Peter Obi is reportedly firm on contesting the 2027 election with Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as his running mate.
Atiku, on the other hand, has not agreed to step aside, despite being encouraged to do so.
These unchanging positions are causing growing concern among coalition leaders, who worry that time may run out before a united front is achieved.
Some members of the group now believe that the best path forward is to keep Amaechi ready, especially since he came second in the last APC presidential primary.
Support is said to be growing for him among politicians loyal to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who believe Amaechi could offer a better chance against the ruling party than Atiku or Obi.
While discussions continue about whether to build a new party or adopt an existing one, a key figure in the coalition, Dr. Umar Ardo, insisted that starting a fresh party is the safer route.
He pointed out that joining an older party might trigger court cases from existing members, especially if those members are backed by powerful interests.
This could lead to drawn-out legal battles that weaken the coalition’s momentum.
Ardo dismissed claims that the new party idea is meant to favour Atiku.
According to him, Atiku is among those pushing for a merger with an existing political party.
This, Ardo argued, shows that setting up a new party cannot be seen as support for Atiku’s ambition.
Another member of the group, Dr. Katch Ononuju, spoke about Obi’s clear plan to contest again.
He said this must be accepted by others in the coalition if they hope to move forward as a united force.
