***Says coalition will offer credible alternative, not just defeat APC
The Atiku Abubakar-led 2027 National Coalition has said it will not be distracted by the recent wave of defections by opposition governors and political leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Reacting to the defections on Thursday, a key figure in the coalition and former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Malam Salihu Moh Lukman, confirmed that more governors are expected to cross over to the APC, but emphasized that the coalition is focused on building a credible alternative for Nigerians in 2027.
“We have gone far, and what has happened in terms of some governors and leaders moving into APC will not distract us,” Lukman said. “Not long from now, the full details of the coalition will be unveiled to Nigerians, including its structure and strategy for the 2027 election.”
Lukman admitted that the PDP has lost steam and that several of its leaders may be working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interests. “When PDP governors issued statements against the coalition, we said many of them were aligned with Asiwaju. Now you’re seeing that play out. And more are coming,” he added.
He stressed that the goal of the coalition is not just to unseat Tinubu or the APC, but to correct systemic failures dating back to the Buhari administration.
“We want to restore the aspiration of Nigerians for a stronger country and produce leaders they can be proud of,” Lukman stated. “We are building a political force that understands the failures of the past and will not repeat them. This is about accountability, unity, and responsible leadership—not power for its own sake.”
He concluded by assuring Nigerians that the new coalition will prioritize inclusive leadership and national unity, saying, “We are not building another set of emperors. We’re building a Nigeria for all.”
