Daily briefing: Atiku's bid for a northern running mate meets opposition, reasons behind North's decision to team up with Obi, and other major headlines

As the 2027 general elections draw near, the political landscape is witnessing significant realignments, with deepening cracks within the opposition coalition over issues of zoning and presidential ambitions, as well as rising security concerns.

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Meanwhile, the United States has sounded a warning that the Islamic State, or ISIS, is shifting its operational focus towards West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, a development that has significant implications for regional security, while a cleric has come forward with allegations of suspects in a coup plot case seeking spiritual backing.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's campaign for a northern presidential candidate has sparked resistance within the opposition coalition, with some stakeholders pushing back against the idea and instead advocating for power rotation to the South.

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This disagreement has led to heightened tensions among coalition members, with loyalists of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso insisting that the presidency should remain in the South after President Bola Tinubu's first term, setting the stage for a contentious election season.

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Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former Governor of Kano State, has explained that northern political stakeholders accepted Peter Obi as a key ally in the emerging opposition movement ahead of 2027, citing the need for unity within the coalition as a top priority.

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Kwankwaso's comments suggest that many northern politicians are willing to set aside zoning disputes in order to strengthen the alliance against the ruling APC, highlighting the complex web of alliances and rivalries shaping the electoral landscape.

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The Federal Government is reportedly engaged in talks with the World Bank over a potential $1.25bn loan facility, which could become Nigeria's second-largest multilateral loan package in recent times, with the funds expected to support key economic and development programmes.

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The proposed loan is seen as part of the Tinubu administration's efforts to stabilise the economy amid rising fiscal pressures, with the government seeking to implement reforms and secure external funding to support its development agenda.

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The United States has identified West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin as emerging hotspots in the global fight against terrorism, warning that ISIS fighters are increasingly relocating to the region and posing a significant threat to regional security.

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This warning has renewed concerns over insecurity across parts of the Sahel and Nigeria's northern region, where authorities continue to battle insurgency and cross-border terror threats, highlighting the need for enhanced cooperation and security measures.

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An Islamic cleric involved in an ongoing coup plot trial has alleged that some of the suspects approached him for spiritual protection and guidance before the planned operation, with one of the accused persons reportedly requesting prayers for his "oga" who was involved in the alleged plot.

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The cleric's testimony has shed new light on the alleged coup plot, suggesting that some of the suspects may have sought spiritual backing for their actions, and raising questions about the role of spiritual leaders in preventing or facilitating such activities.