A sitting member of the House of Representatives from Imo State and a prominent businessman eyeing the 2027 Imo governorship election have joined a growing movement of political figures across the country seeking a merger of key opposition parties to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections.
The group is pushing for an alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the Social Democratic Party, SDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), arguing that only a unified opposition can take on the ruling APC.
The advocacy for this merger is gaining momentum, particularly among some Imo State politicians who feel that challenging the incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma under the APC banner is untenable, especially given the difficulties in securing the party’s governorship ticket.
Despite denials from key opposition figures such as Peter Obi, the 2023 LP presidential candidate, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, who have both dismissed reports of a merger as “fake news,” there are signs that talks, which reportedly began in late September 2024, are intensifying.
Recent rumors suggested that Obi, Kwankwaso, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, were considering an alliance ahead of 2027.
According to some reports, a power-sharing arrangement had been discussed, where Kwankwaso and Atiku would alternate in the presidency for four years each, while Obi would serve two terms.
However, in an interview with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso denied any such agreement, calling it “false” and urging northern leaders to let the people choose their next president without interference.
Obi, too, has publicly rejected the idea of any merger agreement but has called for a united front among opposition parties to oust the APC in 2027.
Despite these denials, there are mounting indications that merger talks are advancing, with Atiku Abubakar reportedly playing a central role in the negotiations. An aide to the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate hinted on social media last week that the merger deal has been “sealed,” though details remain scarce.
