The plot to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the coming 2027 general election has gathered additional momentum as a group of politicians from different political parties sought the blessing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, visited the former President at his residence in Kaduna on Friday.
A source who was very close to the delegation but would not want his name in prints, revealed that the purpose of the visit was to seek the support of the retired general.
According to the source, the group is asking the former President to buy into the coalition project, explaining that it is only a coalition of politicians that could muzzle enough resources and votes to defeat President Tinubu in 2027.
Giving more insight at what transpired during the meeting he said,
“The leader of the delegation, Atiku Abubakar took time to explain to the former President the need for the present administration not be allowed beyond one tenure. He explained that a lot of Nigerians are going through untold hardship due to the anti-people policies of the present administration.
“He said that the dismantling of democratic institutions as was witnessed in Rivers State under a democratic regime was an indication that democracy was in danger under Tinubu.
“He argued that the introduction of tax reform bill, increase in the cost of doing business, increase in electricity, telephone and bank charges have depleted the economy of ordinary Nigerians and pushed more people into the poverty threshold.
“He told the former President that history will not be fair to him if he sits down and do nothing, hence the need to join hands with the coalition to ensure that President Tinubu was not re-elected in 2027.”
The former President, while welcoming his guests, reiterated that he would remain with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He however said that any of his supporters are at liberty to join the coalition or whatever political party he or she wishes.
“Buhari asked his CPC base to join the coalition. He said although while he remains in APC, he won’t stop the CPC from joining a coalition of their choice. Former AG Abubakar Malami, is leading the CPC elements” the source added.
What is unclear is the political party the coalition will use to achieve their plans. While some have argued that Social Democratic Party (SDP) was being prepared as a launching base for the coalition, our source explained that Atiku is lobbying that PDP be used for the coalition.
“Atiku believes that PDP has the spread and structure that could be used to execute the plan. Atiku believes that he is in control of PDP governors and the coalition will gain more force if PDP governors are allowed to buy into the project.
“All the same Atiku does not want to be seen jumping into another party, having contested the Presidency in three different political parties without success. He wants to be seen as someone who is no longer moved by the urge to grab power,” the source said.
On the delegation were the governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Radda, former governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasiru El’rufai, former governor of Imo State Achike Udenwa, former governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswan and other top politicians.
Recall that in February, the former President had paid a courtesy call to his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as former Heads of State, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Atiku has not hidden his intention to unseat the present administration. He had maintained that only a coalition was capable of staging such a defeat.
