NewStats: 3,263,743 , 8,181,226 topics. Date: Saturday, 07 June 2025 at 04:41 PM 413o5

By Adetutu Sobowale


As Nigerians continue to battle inflation and rising cost of living, the political arena is heating up for the 2027 election.

President Bola Tinubu, who came into power in 2023, now faces growing opposition from influential political figures seeking to block his bid for a second term.

Amid widespread public dissatisfaction and perceived policy failures, a broad coalition of political stakeholders is already taking shape, united by a common goal: to unseat Tinubu.

Critics of the president accuse him of implementing policies they describe as anti-people, failing to alleviate economic hardship, and allegedly attempting to steer Nigeria toward a one-party state.

In their view, the current istration has not only fallen short on promises but is pushing the country further into distress.

PUNCH Online has gathered a list of some of the prominent figures and groups positioning themselves against Tinubu’s re-election bid below:


Peter Obi

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has declared his intention to run again in 2027. Obi remains vocal about his commitment to changing Nigeria’s political landscape and has hinted at various coalition arrangements.

In March, Obi ed forces with other top politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, to form a coalition aimed at mounting a formidable challenge against Tinubu in the election cycle.

Reports have also surfaced suggesting the possibility of Obi accepting a vice-presidential slot under Atiku in a one-term, power-sharing deal—although neither camp has confirmed this officially.


Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested under the PDP in 2023, has shown no signs of stepping back from the political stage. Like Obi, he has thrown his weight behind the emerging coalition intended to displace Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku has reportedly proposed a one-term presidency with Obi as his running mate, fueling speculation about a strategic alliance to consolidate the opposition vote.

Their March announcement of the coalition, however, sparked debates about the effectiveness of such political unity.


Seyi Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has not ruled out his own presidential ambition.

In April, he confidently stated that he possessed the competence to lead Nigeria, though he emphasised that any decision on contesting would align with the wishes of Nigerians and his party.

Makinde remarked, “I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land… but what I want to do right now, is it what Nigerians are asking for?”

His rising profile within the PDP has prompted a group, the Brave New Vision Group, to begin lobbying for his candidacy. Campaign posters bearing his image and the slogan “To Move Nigeria Forward 2027” have appeared in key locations across Kano State.


Nasir El-Rufai

A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been one of the most outspoken critics of Tinubu’s istration.

El-Rufai recently confirmed that discussions are ongoing to form a powerful opposition alliance to oust the President in 2027.

Speaking in May, El-Rufai boldly declared, “Anybody that thinks it is possible for President Bola Tinubu to get re-elected is living in another country, not Nigeria… I don’t see a pathway for him, no matter how disorganised the opposition is.”

According to El-Rufai, the economic and political situation has eroded Tinubu’s base to the point of no return.


Babachir Lawal

Another prominent voice in the anti-Tinubu bloc is Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Lawal has been actively involved in coalition talks and is reportedly playing a key role in strategising for 2027.


Rotimi Amaechi and Liyel Imoke

Two former governors, Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River), are also significant players in the anti-Tinubu movement.

They have been tasked with defining the platform for the coalition, whether it involves forming a new party or fusing with an existing one.

While Amaechi is heading the committee focused on party registration, Imoke leads the group exploring alliances with established political parties.


Ralph Nwosu

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Okey Nwosu, has strongly criticised the assumption that Tinubu is unbeatable in 2027.

In a recent interview, Nwosu stated that from Lagos to Port Harcourt, Kano, Uyo, and Sokoto, Nigerians are united by hunger and insecurity, conditions he blames on Tinubu’s leadership.

He said, “Poverty, insecurity occasioned by bad government, is devouring the nation. The APC governments have failed woefully… APC as a party is in delusion. They will sweep themselves out with their broom, or we get the citizens to do so.”

https://punchng.com/full-list-political-heavyweights-plotting-to-stop-tinubu-in-2027/

Just Dey play

All these people plus Buhari, emefiele, internal APC saboteurs, cashless policy, fuel scarcity, social media propaganda ( hand dey shake, leg dey shake), fake pastors prophecy couldn't stop him as an ordinary citizen

So for your mind u think they will ship him as a sitting president?

Move it to Jokes section

dre11:





https://punchng.com/full-list-political-heavyweights-plotting-to-stop-tinubu-in-2027/

Nlfpmod

even people like this b many of them couldn't stop him then

Anything that would make the poor breathe is allowed.

PDP days were better than this nonsense govt.
See Cfa franc 365,000 is now 1million naira.


During the last days of Jonathan's istration,1million naira was like 6million CFA franc.

How did we get here?

I don't see any heavyweights here, except Makinde because he's a serving gov.

Apart from makinde, others in that list are dead Politically

Indeed

DOA

Ajekunya

He wasn’t sitting president but he could not be stopped ! Except God instructed it from heaven ! No foreign or local champion can stop this Man BAT who knows how to use his power more than any other .

Ehen

All this ones are very very lightweight politicians...expired tins

You mean on their way to APC

Most are political paperweight.

Only heavyweight are Atiku and Obi

2027 politics go sweet well well.

I don't know if the coalition will dislodge Tinubu, but I am happy there are groups of politicians coming together to press Tinubu and APC neck...

But by now they should have gotten organized and start criticising the govt already as a single voice... Even if them never form party, they shd alright have spokesmen that will be heavily pressing the govt neck.

Na so APC do commot PDP... Start early as a team. Una sha know say Tinubu no be like Jonathan, he will fight to the last and he is the smartest politician in Nigeria at the moment.

dre11:



https://punchng.com/full-list-political-heavyweights-plotting-to-stop-tinubu-in-2027/

All of them no reach one 😂😆

Yes of course!

They are all the same but the new gangs might make a difference

I better test the new wine for 4yrs to check something because bulaba has nothing to offer if your sincere to yourself

How I wish this coalition wil work

Nigeria hungry masses are the only political heavy weights I know.
If free and fair election is conducted today and these hungry masses are allowed to vote without vote buying guess who won’t win Tinubu

heavyweights koo...

LET THEM TEAM TO FORM A PARTY. THEY WILL ALL FAIL

Tinubu rigged himself in when he was outside the corridor of power what will really stop him now as the incumbent president except God.

but if druglord from Lagos State have really performed as per all the hype from Agbero union.nigerians would have been g his name.well 10 bullion vans to everyone of you from Agbero chairman Lagos State branch

He should be stopped before he stop Nigeria and Nigerians with his unyielding but self-praised policies.

I don't know what type of policy will increase costs of things by 4x and political jobbers are praising it. Whether we're practicing Negative economics, I don't know for them

ibechris:
Anything that would make the poor breathe is allowed.

PDP days were better than this nonsense govt Cfa franc 365,000 is now 1million naira.


During the last days of Jonathan's istration,1million naira was like 6million CFA franc.

How did we get here? The only people ing T-pain are those benefitting from his govt, those online paid agents and some of my tribe men, Yoruba. They believe govt is all about tribe

Self-deceiving day-dreamers but some say they're being optimistic.

People are free to dream.

dre11:



https://punchng.com/full-list-political-heavyweights-plotting-to-stop-tinubu-in-2027/

dre11:
https://punchng.com/full-list-political-heavyweights-plotting-to-stop-tinubu-in-2027/

What works can NON-political lightweight, ordinary Nigerians do to stop this APC shege that has been choking us for a decade?

anonimi:
“The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in the political events.

He doesn’t know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics.

The slowpoke doesn’t know that, from his political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned child, and the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.”

― Bertolt Brecht

Factcheck0001:
Just Dey play

All these people plus Buhari, emefiele, internal APC saboteurs, cashless policy, fuel scarcity, social media propaganda ( hand dey shake, leg dey shake), fake pastors prophecy couldn't stop him as an ordinary citizen

So for your mind u think they will ship him as a sitting president?

just because Ur chop i chop 😡😡is in power does not mean he won't be detrone.
once a Nigeria becomes a president , he feels that power can't be taken from him😕...with all d suffering people are going truh U still tend to this failure if a president

2027 go be like film for una

Spent forces.

They can try, but it will be futile.

Efforts in futility. We will make sure that Tinubu returns for a second term.