*Power can be retrieved from Tinubu, says LND convener

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday faulted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his comments dismissing the opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, insisting that the coalition is on course and that the train had already left the station.
Also, the convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Dr. Umar Ardo, chided the FCT minister, stating that power can still be retrieved from Tinubu despite his being in office.
Ardo wondered what President Tinubu would campaign with as his achievements in view of the hunger and the insecurity in the country.
Wike had in a scathing dismissal of opposition efforts on Friday, declared that the coalition being led by Atiku against the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027 was doomed from inception.
The FCT minister described the alliance as dead-on-arrival, lacking unity, vision, and the political will to challenge the ruling party effectively.
But Atiku, who is the lead character in the opposition coalition against Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), while responding through his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, said Wike needs to have a rethink.
“Tell anyone who said that the coalition is dead on arrival to go ahead and have a rethink. The coalition train has since left the station. The train is moving faster than expected. In this very week, they will hear it in the loudest voice that the train has left the station.
”What looks like being slow is deliberate because the coalition train stops at every station for members to join the train. They will certainly hear from the coalition organisers this week.
”The coalition train is not dead-on-arrival This coalition is like the G34 group that sent the military back to the barracks,” Atiku said.
Similarly, the convener of LND, Ardo queried those claiming that the coalition was dead, saying they were merely daydreaming.
”When did Wike enter politics? He should learn from the masters; the coalition is far ahead of his thoughts. Mark my words, by the grace of Almighty Allah, this coalition will remove Tinubu from office.
”Come to think of it, by what means will this government sell or campaign to the people?
“Is it that they have improved the lifestyle of the people or improved security in the country, where the farmers can’t go to their farms?
 “Come 2027, what will President Tinubu campaign with? Is it with hunger everywhere or with increasing levels of insecurity in the country?
”How can such a rapacious government say that the coalition is dead? Let’s wait and see. There would be no room for any propaganda this time around”, Ardo said