The South East Patriots (SEP) congratulates the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on his bold and decisive step today as he formally registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at his ward in Adamawa State.
This courageous move signals a refreshing readiness to reposition Nigeria’s opposition for meaningful engagement, coordination, and collective action.
SEP believes this moment should serve as a wake-up call to all opposition stakeholders, particularly Mr. Peter Obi, to as a matter of utmost urgency join the ADC and build a truly formidable and united front capable of confronting the Asiwaju-led APC government.
Nigeria can no longer afford disjointed political grandstanding, ego-driven fragmentation, or endless hesitation. Time is already far spent, and the focus should long have shifted to pressures for comprehensive electoral reforms, coalition-building, and structured national mobilisation.

Return to the Nike Lake Agreement of 2018: The Only Viable Path

SEP remains firmly convinced that the Nike Lake Agreement of 2018, endorsed by eminent Igbo leaders and anchored by the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, remains the clearest, most strategic, and most historically grounded path to defeating the APC in 2027.
The political, economic, and infrastructural commitments contained in that agreement—particularly the reopening of Eastern ports, dredging of the Niger, completion of Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail, and balanced national development—represent the most credible roadmap ever designed for the South East within a national electoral alliance.
Anything short of restoring and reigniting the spirit and structure of the Atiku/Obi 2019 partnership is a guaranteed recipe for failure.

SEP’s Firm and Unambiguous Position

Unless Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi urgently revive the Nike Lake Agreement and consolidate forces, SEP will not consider the opposition serious about winning the 2027 elections.
Elections are not conducted to prove a point, neither are they theatres for emotional experiments.
Candidates run elections to WIN, and victory requires unity, strategy, discipline, and sacrifice.
SEP therefore warns that:
  • If Atiku and Obi fail to realign ahead of 2027,
  • If the Nike Lake framework is abandoned,
  • If the opposition continues on a path of fragmentation,
…the 2027 elections will produce nothing different—possibly something even worse—than the disastrous outcome of 2023.
The human energy, financial resources, mobilisation capacity, and hopes that will be invested in the election cannot be squandered recklessly. Without a united front, such sacrifices would be wasteful and unjustifiable.
Opposition unity is not optional; it is essential for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

A Call to Responsibility

SEP therefore calls on:
  • Atiku Abubakar,
  • Peter Obi,
  • ADC leadership,
  • All pro-democracy forces,
  • Civil society stakeholders, and
  • Nigerians yearning for rescue,
to act decisively, maturely, and patriotically at this critical time.
History will not forgive any leader who allows ego or hesitation to jeopardise Nigeria’s democratic future.
Signed:
Obunike C. Ohaegbu
Director General, South East Patriots (SEP)