Former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has expressed concern over the deepening cracks within the ranks of opposition leaders forming a coalition to unseat the President in the 2027 general election.
Baba-Ahmed, who spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, said the initiative is being undermined by personal ambitions and lack of inclusiveness, especially towards younger Nigerians.
The respected elder statesman and political analyst confirmed that although he is not directly involved in the coalition talks, his observations and private conversations with key opposition figures point to serious divisions.
“I’m not involved in the coalition discussion. I am just observing with a lot of worries that an opportunity to create a strong opposition to the ruling party is being messed up by people who insist they must be the face of that opposition,” he said.
He criticized what he described as the self-centered approach of some of the political actors, noting that their refusal to allow new, competent leaders to emerge is a major setback.
“There are divisions between and among them. It is a coalition of a few politicians who thought they could arrive at some understanding and then announce a deal to Nigerians. None of these people should lead or be in a position to determine who should be in the coalition—they can work behind the scene,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
He lamented the absence of young Nigerians in the political arrangement, describing it as a missed opportunity to reset Nigeria’s politics.
“Where are the youths? They are missing the point. They think politics is about them, but it is not,” he added.
His comments come amid reports that key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, are working behind the scenes to form a new party—tentatively named the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
However, Atiku’s camp later clarified that no name had been officially adopted by the former vice president.
The development underscores the growing uncertainty within opposition ranks, even as 2027 draws closer and calls for a viable alternative to the APC administration continue to rise.
