The leader of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), Prof. Pat Utomi, has unveiled plans for a formidable opposition coalition to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Utomi, a vocal advocate for political reform, revealed in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday that discontent is growing within Nigeria’s major political parties, with many members of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressing their willingness to join the coalition.
Alongside these defectors, at least five other political parties and various social movements are engaged in discussions to form a unified opposition bloc.Read more
“This is serious business,” Utomi emphasized. “Nigeria is on the brink at a time of a changing global order. Our approach is to focus on core influence groups within parties. There are individuals in both the APC and PDP who share our values and vision for national development, and they are ready to align with us for the greater good.”
The coalition’s formation coincides with similar efforts spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders, including the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Atiku and his allies recently announced the coalition’s launch, describing it as a strategic move to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which they argue has failed to address the country’s deepening economic and social crises.
Utomi’s coalition aims to go beyond party politics and prioritize national unity and governance reforms. He insists that leadership within the new alliance will be based on collective decision-making, moving away from what he described as the “one-man rule” approach that has hindered past efforts at political transformation.
“A government of national unity is imperative,” he stated. “We need a developmental state that brings progress to every corner of Nigeria—not egotists and narcissists who see governance as an avenue for state capture and personal enrichment while the country slides into economic turmoil.”
The coalition, Utomi added, will soon unveil a “shadow government” composed of technocrats and reform-minded politicians. This team will actively engage in policy development and governance oversight, ensuring that opposition efforts are not merely about winning elections but about presenting a credible alternative to the current administration.
Behind the scenes, intense consultations are ongoing among northern and southern political stakeholders, including opposition figures, APC defectors, and civil society groups. Many northern politicians, in particular, are rallying behind the coalition, citing dissatisfaction with President Tinubu’s policies, which they claim have disproportionately impacted their region.
While the coalition is yet to decide on the platform it will use to contest in 2027, discussions are in advanced stages. Utomi remains confident that a clear path will emerge soon.
“The change Nigeria needs must be driven by a disciplined, self-sacrificing group focused on national development,” he said. “We must ensure that democracy works for the people, accelerate constitutional reforms, and rebuild a political culture that prioritizes the common good over personal ambition.”
