Former supporters of President Bola Tinubu who helped the All Progressives Congress (APC) win the 2023 election say they regret backing what they now describe as “an incompetent and clueless leadership.”
The group, made up of Kannywood actors, northern digital influencers, and key opinion leaders from the North West, declared support for the opposition coalition being championed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Led by Dr Aslam Aliyu, a top Zamfara politician and head of the PAA 2027 New Media & Digital Communications Forum, the delegation visited Atiku on Monday in Abuja.
The forum comprises members of Kannywood, Zamfara TOP 10, and other groups working to mobilize support ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku, in a statement after the meeting, said the opposition coalition “is not a joke” and would soon be unveiled.
“The envisaged coalition is a deliberate effort to recover and rebuild Nigeria in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people,” he said.
He said the coalition’s agenda is being shaped by the failures of the current government and the frustration of citizens nationwide.
Atiku expressed encouragement after the forum revealed its commitment to back the coalition, having reviewed the 2023 election and identified major gaps in voter awareness and engagement.
His words: “Some members of the forum, who played roles in the election of the President Tinubu-led APC government, expressed deep regrets about foisting an incompetent and clueless leadership on Nigeria.
“I assured the forum that 2027 will not be business as usual.”
The former vice-president urged the group to deepen its outreach and educate Nigerians on the need to support the coalition movement.
He said he is fully aware of the hardship, insecurity, and disillusionment Nigerians are experiencing, adding that the opposition alliance has the “individual and collective capacity” to address the country’s challenges.
Dr Aslam Aliyu, on behalf of the delegation, said their decision to support the coalition was a result of honest reflection on the consequences of the 2023 polls and the desire to correct past mistakes.