2027: Baba-Ahmed and opposition leaders meet Atiku in Abuja

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other coalition leaders in Abuja. This closed-door meeting took place at Atiku’s residence on Tuesday night. Members of Atiku's campaign council also attended as the opposition increases talks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Muhammed Ishaq, the PRP National Publicity Secretary, shared this news in a statement on Wednesday. The details of the meeting are still unclear, but multiple sources confirmed that it included several leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement.

Ishaq stated that the meeting was aimed at strengthening the opposition coalition before the 2027 elections. He called the gathering a source of “tremendous inspiration” for the participants. The coalition plans to continue discussions with other opposition leaders and presidential candidates.

He said, “Leaders of coalition parties, as well as others interested in joining, recognise the need to broaden and strengthen the coalition’s capacity to defeat the APC in 2027 and give Nigeria a new lease on life.”

In addition, Ishaq spoke against the reported arrest of five youths in Borno State for wearing T-shirts with the message, “Tinubu Must Go.” He condemned these arrests, saying, “The coalition will take up the matter.”

Ishaq added, “Nigeria must not become a country where citizens are treated as hostages and released only when political conditions are met.”

Earlier, Atiku demanded the immediate release of the five men. He questioned whether wearing a political slogan could be an offence in a democracy. Atiku compared the arrests to President Bola Tinubu’s past opposition to fuel price increases during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s time.

“Tinubu was free to tell Jonathan that his policies were hurting Nigerians. Nigerians must be free to tell Tinubu that his policies are hurting them. Release these five citizens now,” Atiku urged.