Coalition Tremors: How Atiku’s Alliance Is Shaking the APC to Its Core
In Nigeria’s dynamic political theatre, the rise of a coalition often signals the beginning of seismic shifts in power alignments.
But none in recent history has sent shockwaves as far and deep as the coalition currently being championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
What began as a series of strategic consultations has now snowballed into a full-blown political movement; gathering momentum, uniting disenchanted political blocs, and most crucially, unsettling the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in ways that have become impossible to ignore.
The coalition spearheaded by Atiku Abubakar is not just another political flirtation among Nigeria’s elite; it is emerging as a formidable realignment aimed at rescuing the country from the APC’s grip, which many now describe as faltering.
Built on the foundations of shared political grievances, democratic ideals, and a hunger for change, this alliance is fast becoming a rallying point for a broad spectrum of political actors; ranging from opposition stalwarts to disenchanted APC loyalists who now feel alienated by a party they once believed in.
Atiku, a seasoned political tactician with national appeal, is leveraging his vast network, political capital, and experience to draw in key regional influencers.
The response has been overwhelming. The coalition has moved from drawing rooms to town halls; from whispers to headlines; and from speculation to reality.
Since the coalition gained traction, there has been a noticeable tremor within the APC. The ruling party, once known for its confident swagger, now appears increasingly disoriented. For a party that once prided itself on its internal cohesion and strategic dominance, the recent string of events paints a very different picture.
The clearest evidence of this unraveling came during the infamous APC North East Zonal meeting; a gathering that was meant to reinforce unity and endorse President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima but ended up exposing the deep fractures within.
Instead of a strategic session, what Nigeria witnessed was a shameful spectacle: chairs flying across the room, babanriga torn in public view, and high-ranking members ducking for cover as chaos reigned.
The party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, was disgracefully denied entry into the venue by aggrieved party stakeholders, who accused him of being the architect of their leader’s misfortune (Shettima).
To call it embarrassing would be an understatement. That meeting did not just reveal internal disagreements; it exposed a party on the verge of implosion. It is indeed a pleasure to watch you (APC) in disarray; it gives me satisfaction.
In the corridors of the APC, the coalition is now referred to in hushed tones, but the anxiety is deafening.
Political meetings once characterized by strategy are now overwhelmed by paranoia. The party’s leadership is scrambling to maintain control, unsure of who is still loyal and who has already shifted allegiances.
Perhaps the most telling indication of the APC’s fear is the growing rumor; bordering on desperation; that the party is considering replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima before the 2027 elections.
For a party that boasted of its Northern base, this move would be unthinkable; except in times of existential fear. It is a clear sign that the coalition, particularly its inroads in the North, is causing serious distress in the APC camp.
Imagine a ruling party so unsure of its next move that it begins to cannibalize its own leadership just to preempt a rival that hasn’t even formally declared its flag bearer.
The APC, like every political platform, was built on a mix of ideologies and personal ambitions. But without a shared vision or collective discipline, the party has increasingly resembled a fragile coalition of convenience.
With the Atiku-led coalition gaining strength, the dormant tensions within the APC are being reignited. What was once papered over by electoral victories and federal might is now bursting open under the pressure of a rejuvenated opposition movement.
From the South West to the North East, defections loom. Silent voices within APC are beginning to speak up;some subtly, others boldly.
Many are asking hard questions: Where is the party headed? Who is in control? And what will remain of the APC before 2027 if this chaos continues?
As Nigerians edge closer to another critical election year, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Atiku-led coalition is not just another temporary opposition stunt—it is a legitimate threat to the APC’s hold on power.
If the ruling party fails to address its internal crises and continues to underestimate the growing strength of the coalition, it may be watching its downfall unfold in real-time.
The events of the North East meeting were not just an internal squabble; they were a national alarm. An alarm that says, loud and clear: the APC is losing grip, and the coalition is gaining ground.
The race to 2027 has begun, and the fear of the coalition is already doing what opposition manifestos often struggle to do: shaking the very foundation of the ruling party.
Nigeria’s political history is replete with surprises, but one thing is certain: no ruling party can thrive indefinitely on inertia, arrogance, or the illusion of invincibility.
The coalition is here, and its effects are already being felt. Whether the APC will reform or rupture remains to be seen, but one thing is undeniable, the ground beneath the party is no longer stable. And for many Nigerians, that’s the first sign of change.
Gyas Maxwell Joel
National Organizing Secretary, TCM.
