By Chinedum Treasure
A political affairs analyst, Dr Ambrose Igboke, has urged opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, to unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Igboke said a consensus arrangement among opposition parties could give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a serious challenge, warning that divided opposition votes could hand President Bola Tinubu an electoral advantage.
He said the combined votes of Obi and Atiku in the 2023 presidential election exceeded those secured by Tinubu, arguing that a united opposition could improve its chances in 2027.
The analyst specifically urged Atiku to support Obi as the consensus candidate, describing such an arrangement as a possible pathway to defeating the APC.
He acknowledged, however, that reaching an agreement could be difficult because of the national political influence and ambitions of the leading opposition figures.
Igboke also criticised the alleged use of government-owned facilities within the presidential complex for partisan political activities, insisting that public property should not be treated as the exclusive possession of the ruling party.
On the reported 30-day petrol discount at NNPC filling stations, he described the measure as a temporary palliative, urging the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries.
According to him, sustainable relief from recurring fuel challenges requires local refining capacity rather than repeated short-term interventions.
He warned that further fuel price increases and additional petroleum-related taxes could worsen the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Igboke maintained that the government should focus on lasting economic solutions that would ease the burden on citizens.
Tags: 2027 Elections, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, APC, Nigerian Politics
