Shekarau: Only Party-Based Coalition Can Defeat Tinubu in 2027

Former Kano State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections will require a coalition led by political parties rather than individuals.

According to a Nigerian Tribune report on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Shekarau called on opposition parties to strengthen their platforms and form a unified front. He cited his experience in the 2011 coalition talks involving the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), where he contested as ANPP’s presidential candidate.

While the 2011 attempt failed, Shekarau noted that a structured party-led merger in 2012 — later joined by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and a PDP faction — successfully produced the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He criticized current coalition discussions that exclude major opposition parties such as the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), warning that sidelining these groups could weaken efforts against the APC.

Shekarau urged opposition leaders to resolve internal disputes and commit to a common platform or merger ahead of 2027. He maintained that with a clear vision, mission, and collective commitment, a united opposition could challenge the APC effectively.