The League of Northern Democrats (LND) has declared its support for the emerging coalition of opposition leaders aiming to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its expanded general assembly held on Thursday in Abuja, the group resolved to align with the National Opposition Coalition Group, chaired by former Senate President David Mark, to drive what it described as a “transitional political process” ahead of the next election cycle.

The meeting, chaired by LND chairman and former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, had 147 leaders and members in attendance.

Reading the communiqué to journalists, LND Convener, Dr Umar Ardo, said the group had committed to contributing to ongoing deliberations on whether to register a new political party or merge with an existing one.

“The coalition set up two subcommittees: one led by former Governor Liyel Imoke to assess the feasibility of fusing into an existing political party, and another chaired by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to consider registering a new party. I served as secretary of the subcommittee for the new party registration,” Ardo said.

He added that former Governor Nasir el-Rufai had suggested the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a potential fusion option, alongside the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“A final decision is expected on the 30th of this month. Our first preference in the LND is to register a new party, but we will support the coalition’s eventual resolution and assist with the process if the decision is to fuse into an existing party,” Ardo stated.

On national issues, Ardo decried deepening insecurity and economic hardship across Northern Nigeria, blaming the region’s 19 governors for “inertia” in tackling poverty, unemployment and violence.

He also criticised what the LND described as constitutional violations by lawmakers who defected from their parties without losing their seats.

Citing Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution, Ardo said, “Any national legislator who defects from the party that sponsored them must vacate their seat. In Delta and Kebbi states, entire assemblies defected from the PDP to the APC without consequence.”

He warned that the LND would mobilise civil resistance to compel the National Assembly to declare such seats vacant in line with constitutional provisions.

The group further resolved to convene a broader meeting of northern political and civil society groups to harmonise the region’s position ahead of 2027.