The presidency has described the coming together of opposition figures with the plan to sack President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections as "sore losers". Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, said this while reacting to the coalition.
Onanuga's comment followed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's declaration that the opposition is ready to wrestle power from President Tinubu in 2027. Atiku stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, March 20.
Atiku unveiled coalition against Tinubu
Responding to questions on whether the opposition coalition's press conference was the beginning of the coming together of opposition leaders, the former vice president said it was the birth of a coalition of opposition ahead of the next general election.
The opposition leaders present at the press conference chaired by Atiku included Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko. Also, present at the event was Babachir Lawal, the former secretary to the government of the federation; Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna state.
Others in attendance are Segun Showunmi, the convener of The Alternative and the national secretary of the coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ameh.
Presidency speaks on Atiku, El-Rufai's alliance
Reacting to the development, Onanuga said President Tinubu is not disturbed by the coalition and is presently focused on governance in building a prosperous nation. He said that the president was on his way to achieving such goals. He said that the president has had many solid achievements to show to the world in two months to his midterm in office.
His statement reads in part:
"Intractable problems are being tackled headlong. He cannot be distracted by the so-called coalition of politicians. They are not politicians after the public Good. It’s all about their self-interest. They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot. The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu.”
Atiku has been calling for the coming together of the opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 election, soon after he lost the 2023 poll. El-Rufai recently joined and championed the call after he dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
My message to the coalition of Tinubu haters:
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) March 20, 2025
President Tinubu is focused on governance to build a prosperous country. He is on the way to achieving this. Two months to his midterm, he has many solid achievements to showcase. Intractable problems are being tackled headlong. He… pic.twitter.com/qZNEI2ykqP
