Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned Nigeria’s opposition figures and their supporters against internal attacks, warning that persistent infighting is weakening the collective ability to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to Atiku, verbal assaults directed at himself and former presidential candidate Peter Obi only serve to benefit the current administration and undermine the hopes of Nigerians seeking political change.
Atiku’s remarks came amid rising tensions among opposition supporters, particularly on social media, where disagreements over leadership, ambition, and party loyalty have escalated into personal insults. He argued that such hostility does not advance democratic ideals or opposition goals but instead strengthens the grip of the ruling party. In his view, the APC thrives when its opponents are divided and distracted by internal conflicts rather than focused on governance failures and national priorities.
Using unusually strong language, Atiku described the current political order under President Bola Tinubu as deeply flawed and sustained by entrenched interests. He accused some elements within the ruling party of behaving like “urban bandits,” suggesting that they exploit division, economic hardship, and political rivalry to maintain power. By characterizing the system as morally corrupt, Atiku sought to emphasize what he sees as the urgency for opposition unity and purpose.
The former vice president stressed that disagreements among opposition leaders are inevitable in a competitive political environment but warned that turning such differences into public attacks is counterproductive. According to him, when supporters of opposition figures attack one another, they inadvertently weaken the credibility of the entire movement and make it easier for the ruling party to portray its challengers as disorganized and unfit to govern.
Atiku’s warning is particularly significant in the context of growing efforts to build a broad opposition coalition capable of mounting a serious challenge in 2027. Several prominent political figures have been involved in discussions aimed at uniting different factions under a common platform. However, disputes over strategy, party structures, and potential presidential tickets have created friction, threatening to derail those efforts before they fully mature.
Peter Obi, a central figure in recent opposition politics, has also been a target of criticism from within opposition circles. Atiku made it clear that attacks on Obi are no less damaging than attacks on himself, arguing that both figures represent strands of a larger movement seeking reform. He warned that selective loyalty where supporters defend one leader while tearing down another ultimately weakens the opposition’s collective strength.
Beyond personalities, Atiku urged opposition supporters to redirect their energy toward substantive issues affecting Nigerians. He emphasized that the real political contest should focus on economic hardship, rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity, and governance performance. In his view, personal rivalries distract from these pressing concerns and dilute the opposition’s message to the electorate.
The former vice president also highlighted the role of social media in amplifying divisions. While acknowledging its importance as a tool for political engagement, he warned that unchecked online hostility can deepen mistrust and harden divisions within the opposition. He called on supporters to exercise restraint and engage in constructive debate rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
Atiku’s comments reflect growing anxiety among opposition leaders about the risk of repeating past mistakes, where disunity contributed to electoral losses. With the APC already benefiting from incumbency and established political structures, he argued that the opposition cannot afford internal battles that weaken its negotiating power or public appeal.
He further noted that unity does not require absolute agreement but demands a shared commitment to a common objective: offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the current administration. According to Atiku, opposition leaders and their supporters must recognize that collaboration, compromise, and mutual respect are essential if they hope to overcome a well-organized ruling party.
As the political atmosphere gradually shifts toward the 2027 elections, Atiku’s warning serves as both a critique and a call to action. He believes that without discipline and unity, the opposition risks handing the ruling party an advantage before the campaign season even begins.
Conversely, a united front, focused on issues rather than insults, could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
In essence, Atiku Abubakar’s message is clear: attacks within the opposition do not weaken the APC they strengthen it. Only through cohesion, strategic focus, and collective purpose can opposition forces hope to challenge the status quo and present Nigerians with a meaningful alternative in the years ahead.
