The Presidency has dismissed recent speculation about a potential coalition between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, declaring the move to be no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s chances of re-election in 2027.

Speaking during a live interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, July 10, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, downplayed the reported merger talks between the two opposition leaders.

He insisted that even if the pair joined forces, they still would not be able to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“They are jumping the gun. It’s not yet time for politicking as they are doing,” Onanuga said, warning that the current discussions are premature.

Onanuga drew a comparison between the present situation and the APC’s own formation over a decade ago, stating that the coalition that gave birth to the ruling party in 2013 was much more deliberate and strategic than what the opposition is now attempting.

“The alliance or merger we had in 2013 was not like these people are making it look. It didn’t give much distraction to the government in power.

“But the way they are doing it now is as if INEC has blown the whistle for party politics to start — but it’s not so,” he explained.

‘They’re No Match for Tinubu’

While acknowledging the constitutional right of opposition figures to form alliances, he remained adamant that any Atiku-Obi merger would be inconsequential at the polls.

“This is a free country, and people can come together to form all kinds of alliances.

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“But as far as the APC is concerned, we are not seeing the coalition as any threat,” Onanuga said.

He further declared: “Even if you merge Peter Obi and Atiku together, there is no way the two of them can beat a Bola Tinubu and Shettima ticket; it is not going to be possible.”

The remarks come amid increasing speculation about opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as both Atiku and Obi remain vocal critics of the Tinubu administration and have not ruled out another run for the presidency.

Though neither Atiku nor Obi has officially confirmed a joint ticket, political observers believe the idea is gaining traction among opposition supporters seeking to unseat the APC.

However, with the ruling party signalling confidence and dismissing their efforts as premature, the stage appears set for a contentious build-up to 2027.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on lawmakers to take bold steps towards reserving special seats for women in Parliament, saying it would help deepen democracy and promote national development.

Speaking through Hon. Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs, at the 2025 NASS Open Week in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu lamented the persistent underrepresentation of women in governance despite women comprising nearly half of Nigeria’s population.

“This is not just a question of fairness; it is a matter of strengthening our democracy,” the First Lady said, while opening the session on Special Seats for Women in Parliament.

“Giving women a seat at the table is not about charity. It is about recognising competence, diversity of experience, and the unique perspectives women bring to leadership.”

She urged lawmakers to seize the opportunity of the ongoing constitutional review to legally reserve parliamentary seats for women, commending the 10th National Assembly for fostering public engagement.

“Let us make history by enshrining representation that reflects the strength and diversity of Nigeria,” she added.

Mrs. Tinubu praised civil society groups, women’s organisations, and male allies who advocate for inclusive governance.

She also pledged her continued support for women’s political empowerment, education, and economic inclusion.

The event was part of the NASS Open Week, also known as OPEN NASS—an initiative designed to bridge the gap between parliament and citizens by promoting transparency and public participation in the legislative process.

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Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas personally invited the First Lady to declare the special session open, highlighting the importance of inclusive discussions as the Parliament marks its second year.

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has strongly rebuffed recent comments made by ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, regarding President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 electoral victory, asserting that without Bola Tinubu, Buhari would never have become president.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, July 10, Omokri accused Mustapha of trying to sow discord between Buhari and Tinubu.

He described the former SGF’s suggestion that Buhari did not need Tinubu to win as “silly.”

“Boss Mustapha was just being silly. We have people like that who are trying to cause friction between Buhari and Tinubu,” Omokri said.

Boss Mustapha Was Not Being Factual. Without President Tinubu, Buhari Would Never Have Been President-Part 2 of My Arise TV Interview pic.twitter.com/aNAundJhUN

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 10, 2025

He argued that Buhari’s perennial 12 million “captive votes,” mostly drawn from the North since his first attempt in 2003, were never sufficient to secure him the presidency until Tinubu added southern political weight in 2015.

“Buhari had a captive vote of 12 [million] and has always had that since 2003—what did it do for him? He lost in 2003 and 2011.

“He was only able to win when something from the South was added to his captive 12 million votes,” Omokri pointed out.

Omokri emphasised that Nigeria’s political structure is deliberately designed to prevent regional domination and ensure balance, saying, “No tribal Lord can ever become president of Nigeria” without cross-regional support.

According to Omokri, Tinubu’s political alignment with Buhari was the decisive factor that changed Nigeria’s political trajectory in 2015.

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“Without Tinubu, Nigeria’s history would not have been the same. Jonathan would have won that election, and Buhari would have remained a tiny dot in a circle,” he added.

The remarks come amidst growing tensions in the ruling party over the role of key figures in Buhari’s rise to power, as narratives are being reshaped ahead of 2027.