By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Arewa Citizens Parliament, ACP, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of deepening divisions within opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying many Nigerians were becoming frustrated with what it described as ‘perpetual ambition’ politics.

The group said opposition coalition efforts were again being overshadowed by internal power struggles linked to Atiku’s presidential ambition at a time when Nigerians were facing economic hardship, insecurity and growing public frustration with the government.

The position was contained in a statement by the ACP National Leader, Hon. Saidu Jibrin, who said: “Nigerians are increasingly exhausted by a politics built around perpetual ambition without corresponding political renewal, strategic discipline, or national cohesion.

“The painful truth is that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has gradually transformed from an opposition figure into President Bola Tinubu’s most valuable indirect political ally.”

The group said opposition alliances had repeatedly struggled because coalition discussions often became centred on Atiku’s presidential ambition.

It added: “Every election cycle follows the same pattern when coalition talks begin, opposition figures attempt to unite, Nigerians raise hopes for a formidable alternative, and then Atiku arrives at the centre of the arrangement with the unmistakable determination to dominate, control, and ultimately personalise the entire process around his lifelong presidential project.

“The result has always been predictable: distrust, fragmentation, internal rebellion, weakened alliances, disappointed supporters, and electoral failure.”

The ACP said the same pattern contributed to divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before the 2023 elections and warned that similar tensions were already resurfacing ahead of 2027.

It also pointed to recent coalition talks around the African Democratic Congress, ADC, saying expectations of a united opposition platform began to change once Atiku became involved.

“Unfortunately, the moment Atiku inserted himself into the equation, the atmosphere immediately changed from coalition-building to power contestation. Rather than serving as a consensus builder, he has once again become the centre of instability,” Jibrin said.

The group also criticised what it described as the continued dominance of older political figures in Northern Nigeria while younger leaders struggled for political space.

It added: “The North today faces existential crises: terrorism, mass poverty, collapsing agriculture, out-of-school children, drug abuse, unemployment, and widespread hopelessness among young people.

“Yet the political conversation is once again being dragged backwards into another endless Atiku presidential project.”

The ACP warned that if opposition parties entered the 2027 elections divided, it could strengthen the re-election chances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The future of the North and the survival of Nigeria’s democracy cannot continue to be sacrificed on the altar of one man’s unending presidential quest,” the group insisted.