The Chief of the Abuja Office, Leon Usigbe, writes about the potentials of the emerging opposition coalition against the re -election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Although this administration is less than two years in office, the political landscape is already changing to the 2027 presidential elections. Nigerian politicians have begun the family process for the construction of coalitions and realignments, with a clear approach to unraveling to President Bola Tinubu. What makes this development particularly intriguing is the participation of key political figures, some of which were once close allies of the president.
Although the administration of Tinubu publicly maintains an air of trust, it is undoubtedly monitoring what seems to be a coordinated effort to challenge its re -election offer. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been one of the most vowel critics of the Tinubu government. Even before the recent National Conference on the Strengthening of Democracy in Nigeria, where he intensified his attacks against the president, Atiku had repeatedly accused Tinubu of suppressing the voices of the opposition and the misuse of state institutions to obtain political profits.
Atiku states that Tinubu is selectively pointing to political opponents under the appearance of fighting corruption while protecting his scrutiny allies. In addition, it alleges that the administration is trying to bribe the opposition leaders to destabilize their parties before the 2027 elections. “Even for the most unatt fun, it has been evident that Tinubu is not fighting a war against corruption: it is Librating a war against the opposition, manipulating the system for its own political advantage, “Atiku said.
The presidency has dismissed Atiku's accusations, framing them as the complaints of a painful loser instead of genuine concerns about governance. Presidential assistants argue that Atiku's criticisms are driven by envy and personal revenge instead of the interests of the Nigerian people. They also point out Atiku's past role in the Government, particularly their controversial supervision of the Nigeria privatization program, to question its credibility in governance affairs.
Expand the opposition and internal APC fractures
Atiku is not the only one that expresses dissatisfaction with the administration of Tinubu. The recent National Conference on the Strengthening of Democracy in Nigeria showed a broader coalition of discontent, including figures such as former governors Rotimi Amachi and Nasir El-Rufai, who were once allies of Tinubu. There are indications that these figures can align with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labor Party and other opposition leaders, although OBI himself has not yet demonstrated a great interest in that coalition.
During the conference, Amachi urged the Nigerians to be prepared to use the “brutal force” to claim power in 2027, expressing frustration for the impunity of the perceived government and the reluctance of the electorate to hold the leaders responsible. He criticized Nigerians for not protesting against economic difficulties, arguing that citizens are not willing to defend their votes or make sacrifices for democracy.
The-Rufai, on his part, openly ridiculed some of Tinubu's supporters, labeling them as “clowns” and “political mercenaries” paid to defend the administration. His sharp comments have fed speculation about their position within the ruler Congress of all progressives (APC), which suggests a deepening divisions within the party. The-Rufai also said that even if he had been appointed as a minister under the government of Tinubu, he would not have refrained from criticizing the administration's deficiencies.
Opposition challenges and Tinubu's response
While the opposition recognizes that a united front is necessary to challenge Tinubu effectively, the internal struggle remains an important obstacle. The Popular Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party, continues to fight with factorism and defections to the APC, asking questions about its ability to present a strong challenge in 2027. Political analysts argue that unless the opposition can Solving its internal divisions, forming a cohesive coalition will be difficult.
The administration of Tinubu is very aware of these challenges and has minimized the importance of recent opposition activities. A presidential spokesman dismissed the meeting of opposition figures and dissident voices within the APC as an assembly of politically motivated detractors. He stressed that Tinubu remains “without distracted and imperturbable” despite emerging political tensions.
In a recent publication about X (previously Twitter), another presidential assistant, dares, criticized the opposition for participating in what he described as a “Machiavellian” plot against Tinubu. Referring to the recent official trip of the president to Tanzania, Dare commented: “While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was far in the distant Dar Es Salaam, his political opponents, detractors and pseudo-friends deployed his Machiavellian inclinations. As expected, it was a meeting called to even spread the will. Nothing new came beyond the script of the opposition to which we are accustomed. “
Dare also accused some opposition figures of going “byboard” in his criticism and promoting anti -democratic actions. Despite the first confrontations, he insisted that Tinubu focuses on governance instead of political distractions. “The clouds are starting to clear. The scenario is established soon. Combat begins. Until then, President Tinubu, a declared Democrat, remains unstrained and not disturbed. The fight is ahead. Not now, ”he said.
In a direct challenge for those who already prepare for the 2027 elections, Dare advised them to wait for the appropriate time to prove their popularity in the surveys. “This is 2025. No 2027! Let those who want to prove their popularity with the Nigerians wait for the next elections. President Tinubu is completely focused on providing the leadership that will transform our country, ”he concluded.
Looking to the future
As Nigeria approaches 2027, political maneuvers will only intensify. While the opposition is actively exploring alliances, the challenge is still forging a truly unified front. Meanwhile, the Tinubu administration continues to affirm its focus on governance, minimizing the activities of its critics. Analysts believe that the next months will reveal whether the opposition can overcome their internal struggles to set up a formidable challenge for power.
Read also: opposition parties form coalition to expel APC