By Abdullahi Inuwa
Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Bukar Dalori, has dismissed ongoing coalition talks among opposition politicians as mere “hotel gossip,” declaring that the so-called alliance exists only in Abuja and holds no ground across the country.
In a fiery remark that has stirred political circles, Dalori stated:
“Nobody is talking about a coalition except in Abuja. Even in Abuja, they are just in a hotel. And when they are defeated in the elections, they will leave the country.”
The statement, made during a press interaction in the Federal Capital Territory, appears to be a direct jab at opposition figures reportedly forming alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dalori ridiculed the credibility and seriousness of these efforts, painting the coalition meetings as elite affairs detached from the grassroots realities that shape electoral outcomes.
“Let them keep forming WhatsApp groups and sharing tea in hotel lobbies. Politics is on the ground — in the wards, the villages, the communities — not in conference rooms,” he added.
Observers believe Dalori’s comments target members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and other political actors rumoured to be crafting a “grand alliance” to challenge APC dominance. But with no formal coalition structure publicly announced, the APC chairman’s dismissal suggests confidence in the ruling party’s electoral strength and the weakness of any opposition front.
Political analyst Musa Lawal noted, “Dalori’s statement may sound sarcastic, but it speaks to the reality — most opposition moves remain speculative, uncoordinated, and disconnected from the political base that decides elections.”
As the road to 2027 heats up, Dalori’s fiery rhetoric could mark the beginning of a sharper political tone from the APC, especially amid internal realignments and succession whispers.
Whether the hotel coalition survives beyond the air-conditioned rooms of Abuja remains to be seen — but for now, the APC is clearly not losing sleep.
About The Author
