The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has joined opposition coalition leaders in a meeting with former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as opposition parties intensify efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Baba-Ahmed also condemned the reported arrest in Borno State of youths allegedly wearing T-shirts bearing political messages, including “Tinubu must go,” saying the coalition would take up the matter.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the PRP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, the party chairman was said to have joined other coalition leaders during a visit to Atiku at his residence on Tuesday.

The delegation also met members of Atiku’s campaign council.

According to the statement, the meeting was a source of tremendous inspiration to the delegation, which said it planned to engage other opposition party leaders and candidates.

The statement said coalition leaders were seeking to broaden and strengthen the opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Leaders of coalition parties, as well as others interested in joining, recognise the need to broaden and strengthen the coalition’s capacity to defeat the APC in 2027 and give Nigeria a new lease on life,” it said.

On the reported arrests in Borno, the PRP chairman condemned what he described as the arrest of young people over political T-shirts.

“The reported arrest in Borno State of young people wearing T-shirts bearing political messages is unequivocally condemned.

“The coalition will take up the matter. Nigeria must not become a country where citizens are treated as hostages and released only when political conditions are met,” the statement said.

The development follows reports that five men were arrested in Maiduguri over T-shirts carrying the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”

According to reports citing a police First Information Report, the suspects face allegations including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.

The police reportedly alleged that the men were involved in producing and wearing the shirts around West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.

The Borno State chapter of the ADC had earlier condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of the five men, describing the T-shirts as an expression of political opinion.

The meeting comes as opposition parties and political figures continue to explore cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007, is the presidential candidate of the ADC, after joining the party as part of a wider opposition realignment.

The former vice president and other opposition figures have been involved in efforts to build a coalition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

The coalition discussions have brought together political actors from different parties, including the ADC, PRP and other opposition groups, with emphasis on a common platform ahead of the election.