Fresh controversy has emerged concerning former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political actions as the preparation for the 2027 general election intensifies. This follows conflicting reports regarding his presumed involvement in the forming Peter Obi–Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso presidential alliance.
The debate gained momentum when the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum accused Obasanjo of clandestinely working to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election. Meanwhile, Dr. Akin Osuntokun, who served as Obasanjo’s Political Adviser, asserted that Obasanjo is the mastermind behind the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
These conflicting narratives come at a time when opposition leaders are boosting their efforts in consultations and coalition-building to form a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the upcoming election.
In a statement from its President, Akin Malaolu, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum alleged that Obasanjo’s recent political moves aim more to undermine the opposition than to consolidate it. The forum pointed to Obasanjo’s public letter to former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, where he accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of orchestrating an attempt to impeach him during his term, involving the late former Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
The forum described this letter as part of a wider strategy to destabilize the opposition before 2027. They further criticized Obasanjo for invoking Na’Abba’s name, contending that it unfairly targets someone who can no longer respond.
The group alleged that Obasanjo’s visible support for an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket serves merely as a diversion from his supposed backing for President Tinubu’s second term. They also speculated, though without evidence, about his behind-the-scenes involvement in reshaping opposition alignments in coordination with those close to the Presidency to bolster Tinubu’s chances.
On the other hand, Dr. Akin Osuntokun dismissed these claims on ARISE Television as unfounded, emphasizing Obasanjo’s commitment to the opposition coalition. He stated that Obasanjo was instrumental in initiating talks between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, identifying him as a leading advocate for the proposed alliance.
Osuntokun refuted allegations of Obasanjo supporting President Tinubu, saying these were inconsistent with his visible political activities. He revealed that discussions on a potential Obi-Kwankwaso coalition date back several years and noted Kwankwaso’s past considerations for such a ticket with Obi before the 2023 election.
This latest disagreement surfaces shortly after Obasanjo reignited a longstanding dispute with Atiku Abubakar by alleging that Atiku supported his removal while he was in office. Atiku, through his media aide Phrank Shaibu, denied this accusation, highlighting his resistance to Obasanjo’s unsuccessful third-term bid as crucial in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
With increased political talks preceding the 2027 election, debates around Obasanjo’s perceived role underscore intense strategizing among opposition figures aiming to forge a strong coalition to challenge the APC. While neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has officially confirmed a joint ticket, the ongoing exchanges reflect the growing importance of coalition politics as Nigeria’s electoral landscape evolves.
