In a passionate appeal that could reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027, the South East Patriots (SEP) has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi to urgently unite under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and lead a nationwide campaign for electoral reforms.
The group stressed that the fate of Nigeria’s democracy and the future of millions of citizens depend on their unity, warning that neither Atiku nor Obi can singlehandedly win the presidency without the other’s support.
According to SEP, the recently concluded Edo State off-season governorship election and several bye-elections have exposed the willingness of politicians and the electoral umpire under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bend the rules in advance of the 2027 general elections. The group described the Edo polls as a “show of shame,” warning that the situation worsened in the Anambra bye-elections, where disturbing reports suggested direct state involvement in attacks against opposition candidates.
In Osumenyi, Nnewi South LGA, SEP alleged that the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Ibezim, led an invasion of an opposition candidate’s home. In Oraifite, a local government chairman and a House of Assembly leader reportedly stormed another candidate’s residence with thugs and state-funded vigilantes, holding him hostage. “These cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. To us, they look like rehearsals of what the APC-led government is preparing to unleash against the opposition in 2027,” SEP said.
At the heart of SEP’s appeal is its belief that a joint Atiku/Obi front remains Nigeria’s most credible path to democratic survival and meaningful Igbo inclusion in national governance. The group cautioned that the ongoing speculation about the political future of the two opposition leaders is distracting the nation from the urgent task of pushing for credible electoral reforms.
“By immediately joining the ADC, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi will not only silence endless speculation but also provide the leadership Nigerians desperately need in the fight for free and fair elections,” the group argued.
SEP also drew attention to unresolved issues from the 2023 general elections, particularly the uncertain legal status of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the failure of real-time electronic transmission of results. “These loopholes must be corrected now. Nigerians should be interrogating these urgent reforms, not distracted by political guessing games. If these failures are left unattended, 2027 will simply repeat the mistakes of 2023, but in a more brazen form,” the statement noted.
While many Nigerians view the PDP and Labour Party as the main opposition vehicles, SEP maintained that the ADC has shown itself to be the only political party with “credible leadership and integrity.” The group argued that aligning with the ADC would allow Atiku and Obi to mount a credible reform campaign without the baggage of past failures. “The ADC today represents a fresh start for credible politics. It is the natural rallying point for like-minded Nigerians who want integrity, fairness, and inclusivity in governance,” SEP declared.
With less than two years to the 2027 general elections, SEP insisted that the window for meaningful reform is closing quickly. “The time to act is now,” the group said. “Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford further delays. Atiku and Obi must rise above personal ambition and unite for the sake of the people.”
Already, the appeal is stirring conversations across political and civic spaces. Many Nigerians on social media are echoing the call, insisting that only a united Atiku/Obi platform can generate the momentum needed to challenge the ruling APC in 2027. Others, however, question whether the ADC can provide the structure necessary for such a monumental task, given its limited past performance in national elections.
Yet SEP insists that extraordinary times demand extraordinary choices. “Neither Atiku nor Obi can go it alone. Nigeria’s future depends on their unity. For the survival of our democracy, they must urgently align under the ADC and lead the reforms Nigerians are yearning for,” the group concluded.
