Atiku Likens Arsenal’s Victory Over Real Madrid To How Coalition Can Succeed In 2027

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the semifinal victory of English club Arsenal over Spanish side Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

The Gunners were through to the semifinals of the UCL after beating trophy holders Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in their quarterfinal match to advance to the semifinals on Wednesday night.
Reacting, Atiku, a known supporter of Arsenal, emphasised the importance of unity as the way forward, saying victory is a lesson in consolidating strength.

In a post on X, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election said: “Arsenal just taught us a lesson in consolidating our strengths in a coalition vehicle. Victory is assured when we stand united.”

The remark followed trouble in the camp of the opposition with governors elected on the platform of the PDP distancing themselves from any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku had last month announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

He was flanked at the press conference by Dr Yunusa Tanko, representative of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Following a recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna by Atiku and members of the coalition, expectations were high that the PDP Governors’ Forum’s meeting in Ibadan would clarify the party’s position on the alliance.

However, arising from the meeting held between Sunday and Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State—which was attended by the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and other party leaders—the governors distanced themselves from any coalition or merger talks.