A prominent chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to join the NDC to strengthen opposition unity against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Galadima warned that failure by Atiku to align with the growing coalition in the NDC could lead to the opposition's defeat, with Atiku bearing significant responsibility.
He emphasized that major opposition figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have already migrated to the NDC to build a formidable front.
“The truth of the matter is that Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso migrated into the ADC; they brought unity of opposition to unseat Tinubu. Unfortunately, there are insinuations that the APC and the government used the courts to unseat the opposition,” Galadima said.
He continued: “This is why I’m making this call on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to follow us as we followed him into the ADC, such that there will be unity of opposition to unseat this government, and if he refuses, Atiku will be held responsible.
Galadima stressed that all key political gladiators are now rallying under the NDC banner and urged Atiku not to remain outside the fold. He added that continued stay in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or refusal to join could be seen as scuttling opposition unity and forfeiting his opportunity to contest in 2027.
The appeal comes amid significant political realignments, following the formal reception of Obi and Kwankwaso into the NDC on Sunday in Abuja. The duo, received after consultations with party leaders including National Leader Seriake Dickson, called for litigation-free politics focused on national development.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress and allies of Atiku Abubakar have denied reports suggesting an imminent defection by the former Vice President to the NDC.
Galadima’s comments underscore the momentum building within the opposition as various stakeholders seek to consolidate forces ahead of the next electoral cycle.