Prominent Activist Lawyer Maxwell Opara Urges Opposition Leaders to Form Strategic Alliance Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

Lawyer Maxwell Opara calls on Kwankwaso to deputy Peter Obi in 2027, urging opposition leaders to drop egos for a unified front against the current presidency.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

A Call for Strategic Opposition Realignment

The landscape of Nigerian politics is witnessing an early shift toward 2027 as legal activist Maxwell Opara formally proposed a consolidated opposition front. During a Tuesday interview on Arise News, Opara emphasized the necessity for former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to coordinate their efforts with Peter Obi. The lawyer suggested that the current political climate requires a departure from traditional ego driven campaigns in favor of a pragmatic alliance. According to Opara, the fragmented nature of the opposition during the previous electoral cycle provided a clear advantage to the ruling party, a mistake he insists cannot be repeated if a change in leadership is desired.

Evaluating the Capacity of the Third Force

Central to Opara’s argument is the demonstrated electoral capacity of Peter Obi, who has since transitioned to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Opara highlighted Obi’s performance in the last general election as evidence of his ability to mobilize a national base from a relatively nascent political platform. By entering the race and delivering significant results, Obi has, in Opara's view, proven he possesses the executive capacity to govern. The activist lawyer noted that Obi’s rise from a peripheral figure to a central protagonist in the national discourse makes him the most logical anchor for a unified opposition ticket in 2027.

Navigating the Complexities of Zoning and Tenure

Opara also addressed the delicate issue of regional power sharing, suggesting that a Northern candidate challenging a Southern incumbent before the completion of an eight year term might face significant structural hurdles. He proposed that if the opposition intends to present a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu, they must consider the optics of regional representation. By suggesting that Kwankwaso should consider the vice presidential slot under Obi, Opara is attempting to draft a roadmap that satisfies both the need for Northern influence and the momentum currently behind Obi’s brand. This strategy is framed as a mathematical necessity rather than a personal slight against Northern political heavyweights.