Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a significant meeting took place at the national headquarters of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja.
The gathering saw the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, alongside other prominent opposition figures.
Notably present was Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), the 2023 presidential candidate of the opposition Action Alliance (AA) and former Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha.
Although details of the meeting remain undisclosed, it is widely speculated that the discussions were part of ongoing efforts by opposition politicians to unite and form a formidable coalition for the 2027 elections.
The timing of the meeting aligns with growing efforts by opposition leaders to create a strong alternative to challenge the ruling party.
El-Rufai, once a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu, has become a vocal critic of the current administration.
He was notably excluded from the recent ministerial list after the Senate withheld his confirmation, citing security concerns from the Department of State Services (DSS).
Other notable figures who were similarly excluded include former Taraba Senator Sani Danladi and Delta State nominee Stella Okotete.
The meeting was confirmed by Segun Showunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, who shared updates on his Facebook page.
He described the gathering as a “strategic meeting” aimed at reviewing the state of opposition efforts in Nigeria, facilitated by H.E. Shehu Gabam, Chairman of the SDP.
This development follows recent calls from Dr. Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West, for opposition leaders, including disillusioned members of the APC, to unite and form an alternative political platform.
Lukman, who resigned from the APC in 2024, expressed the belief that only through a functional political party that respects its rules can the APC be effectively challenged.
He emphasized the importance of producing a democratic leadership alternative in the 2027 elections.
