Amaechi, Imoke Take Lead Roles as Opposition Coalition Weighs 2027 Strategy

The opposition’s strategic blueprint ahead of the 2027 general elections is beginning to take shape, as former Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Liyel Imoke have been assigned leading roles in determining whether to form a new political party or merge with an existing one.

This was disclosed in a communiqué read by the Convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Umar Ardo, during the group’s expanded meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. The gathering included prominent political actors such as former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and other notable figures from the northern political class.

According to Ardo, the coalition—spearheaded by high-profile opposition leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—is weighing two key options: registering a new political platform or fusing with an existing party.

Two committees have been formed to evaluate these options. Liyel Imoke will chair the committee exploring a merger, while Rotimi Amaechi will lead the group focused on forming a new party.

“We resolved to support the National Opposition Coalition Group for the transitional politics towards 2027 and to contribute in the dialogue on either to register a new political party as the vehicle to drive the politics or fuse into an existing political party,” Ardo said.

The final decision on the coalition’s direction is expected on May 30, 2025. In the event that forming a new party is not viable, the coalition is considering existing platforms such as the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai brought a complaint that SDP is interested in being considered for the fusing. For that, the committee set up the 30th of this month to decide either to go with ADC, SDP, or form a new political party. So, we in the LND here have resolved to support that position,” Ardo added.

In addition to its electoral planning, the LND resolved to engage with the 19 northern governors on key issues affecting the region, including insecurity, widespread poverty, and youth unemployment.

“We resolved that we are going to engage them one way or the other. We resolved to mobilize the North and by extension all Nigerians to pressure government, especially legislators, to uphold, defend, and protect the constitution of Nigeria,” Ardo stated.