Political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election have continued to gear-up, with supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissing the growing efforts by opposition figures to form a common front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The latest reaction came from the Renewed Hope Project 2027, whose Board of Trustees Chairman, retired Major General Abdulmalik Jibril, described the proposed alliance involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and other opposition figures as an “exercise in futility.”
Jibril spoke during the inauguration and official unveiling of the Renewed Hope Project 2027, held under the theme, “A New Beginning, A Shared Vision, With Greater Nigeria.” He argued that the outcome of the 2027 election would ultimately depend more on the performance of the Tinubu administration than on the number of opposition politicians coming together.
Duke's role puts Cross River in the national political conversation
For Cross River State, the development is particularly significant because Donald Duke, who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, remains one of the prominent figures associated with the emerging opposition politics.
Duke has been linked with the opposition realignment ahead of 2027 and has previously been associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). However, he is now listed as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), adding another dimension to the already complicated opposition landscape.
His involvement means that Cross River is not merely watching the 2027 presidential contest from the sidelines. A former governor of the state is now part of the national political conversation over how opposition forces can challenge the incumbent president.
The political significance of Duke's participation is also being debated because the opposition remains divided among different parties and presidential candidates. Reports have identified Atiku, Obi and Duke among the major opposition figures seeking the presidency, although they are not currently all running on the same party platform.
Renewed Hope camp confident
The Renewed Hope Project 2027 said the focus should be on taking the achievements and policies of the Tinubu administration directly to Nigerians at the grassroots.
Its Director-General, Dauda Salihu, said the organisation would concentrate on communicating the administration's programmes to voters and encouraging Nigerians to assess the government based on its record.
The position represents an early attempt by supporters of the president to counter the growing narrative that a united opposition could pose a serious challenge to Tinubu in 2027.
The opposition camp, however, appears to be exploring different forms of cooperation as the election approaches. Atiku, Obi and other political figures have been involved in discussions around creating a stronger platform capable of challenging the APC.
The real question: Can the opposition unite?
Beyond the political statements coming from both sides, the major question for 2027 may be whether Nigeria's opposition politicians can actually put their individual ambitions aside and agree on one candidate.
The current political landscape remains fragmented, with several presidential candidates already emerging from different parties. Reports have identified Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Duke and several others as contenders in what could become a crowded presidential race.
For Cross River, the contest could also generate considerable interest as Duke's political history and national profile bring the state into the centre of the opposition debate.
Whether the proposed alliances eventually produce a single presidential candidate or remain separate political arrangements will likely become clearer as the election draws closer.
For now, however, supporters of Tinubu are insisting that the opposition's calculations will not stop the president from seeking another term.
The 2027 contest is therefore shaping up not only as a battle between political parties, but also as a test of whether Nigeria's opposition can overcome its longstanding divisions and present a credible alternative to the incumbent.
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