Arewa Coalition Condemns Atiku-led Alliance As Misguided, Opportunistic

The Arewa Empowerment Coalition (AEC) has issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the proposed formation of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) reportedly led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in collaboration with key political figures such as Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Babachir Lawal.

In a press release signed by AEC president Sulaiman Yusuf Sani yesterday, the coalition described the planned alliance as a “misguided political misadventure” driven by the ambitions of “disgruntled opportunists” attempting to manipulate Nigeria’s democratic process for personal gain.

“We view this coalition as a poorly calculated decision that reflects a profound misunderstanding of the current political landscape and the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” Sani said.

The coalition warned that the currently conceived ADA lacks the grassroots support and moral clarity required to represent the interests of ordinary Nigerians. According to Sani, Atiku’s efforts demonstrate a pattern of “political miscalculations” undermining his previous attempts at national leadership.

“The political arena in Nigeria is not merely a chessboard for the ambitions of a few,” he added, emphasising that Nigerians are now more politically aware and demand “authentic leadership rather than opportunistic alliances.”

Sani further criticised the inclusion of figures such as El-Rufai, Amaechi, and Lawal, stating that their controversial political records diminish the credibility of the proposed coalition. “Their inclusion only serves to alienate the very citizens they claim to represent,” he said.

The AEC leader accused the ADA’s promoters of seeking to “cling to power through alliances that lack genuine substance,” stressing that the alliance is more about personal survival than public service.

He cautioned that such political manoeuvring risks deepening disillusionment and division among Nigerians. “When political leaders prioritise their interests over the needs of their constituents, they risk sowing discord and disillusionment,” he stated.

Therefore, the AEC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject political movements that are not rooted in the common good. The coalition also called Atiku and his allies to “engage in genuine dialogue with the electorate,” rather than rely on recycled political strategies.

“The Arewa Empowerment Coalition categorically rejects the proposed All Democratic Alliance as a misguided and poorly conceived initiative that fails to resonate with the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” the statement concluded.