Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has explained why he believes former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should emerge as the flagbearer of the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should play a supportive role instead.
Speaking during a television interview, Lawal said the opposition alliance being championed by several political heavyweights must focus on presenting the most electable candidate if it hopes to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
According to the former SGF, Peter Obi currently enjoys wider public acceptance and possesses the kind of national appeal needed to mobilize Nigerians seeking a change in leadership.
Lawal noted that although Atiku Abubakar remains one of Nigeria’s most experienced politicians, having contested for the presidency multiple times, the former vice president should consider backing a younger and more broadly accepted candidate in the overall interest of the coalition and the country.
He stressed that the mission of the opposition should not revolve around personal ambitions but around fielding the candidate with the greatest chance of defeating the APC in 2027. Politics is about winning elections.
If the coalition is serious about taking power in 2027, then it must put forward the person who has the highest chances of attracting votes across different regions of the country, Lawal said.
The former SGF argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, coupled with the strong support he continues to enjoy among young Nigerians and other segments of the electorate, places him in a favorable position ahead of the next electoral cycle.
He also urged opposition leaders to put aside individual interests and work towards building a united front capable of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative to the current administration.
Lawal’s remarks are expected to intensify the debate over who should lead the opposition coalition, with both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi widely regarded as key contenders for the presidency in 2027.
As political realignments gather momentum ahead of the next general election, the battle for the coalition’s ticket is shaping up to be one of the biggest issues likely to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape.
