In what is shaping up to be a dramatic reshaping of Nigeria’s opposition politics, a coalition of political stakeholders and civic groups has launched AGOBI ’27—an acronym for Atiku Givus Obi 2027—urging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his presidential ambition and support Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi as a consensus candidate for the 2027 elections.
The four-day Abuja parley, which birthed the campaign, drew representatives from opposition parties, professional associations, youth movements, and even traditional rulers participating virtually. The coalition includes the Save Democracy Mega Alliance (SDMA), African Democratic Congress (ADC) partners, and several civil society groups.
Framing their appeal as a patriotic duty, the group warned that a divided opposition would guarantee victory for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This is the greatest question Atiku Abubakar will ever face: Will he be remembered as the man who sacrificed ambition to rescue Nigeria—or the man who sacrificed Nigeria for ambition?” the communiqué stated.
Citing alleged maneuvers by the APC—including planned changes to voter cards, heavy security deployments, and alleged judicial patronage—the coalition argued that opposition unity is the only viable path to a competitive 2027 race.
They also claimed their internal research shows that most voters in Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt would rather stick with Tinubu than risk another northern presidency, a sentiment they argue would make Atiku’s candidacy a liability.
The AGOBI steering committee spans Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and features prominent voices, including Labour Party’s interim National Publicity Secretary Prince Tony Akeni and CUPP National Secretary High Chief Peter Ameh.
A northern elder, speaking anonymously, hailed the movement as “the most historic nationalist rallying point since the independence struggles of the 1950s.”
Organisers announced plans for nationwide mobilisations to pressure opposition leaders into forging a single ticket. “A hundred Tinubus cannot win if Atiku backs Obi,” the group declared. “But if they split the vote, Tinubu’s victory is assured.”
Positioning AGOBI ’27 as a moral crusade, the coalition invoked Qur’anic verses on justice and selflessness, declaring: “Time will tell and retell the AGOBI story—either as the moment Nigeria united for change or missed its chance again.”