Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned that the current lack of seriousness and cohesion among opposition parties could hinder their ability to challenge the government of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Lukman, who expressed concerns about the state of Nigerian politics on Monday in a statement, criticised the opposition for not taking decisive actions to prepare for the 2027 elections.
According to Lukman, despite shared concerns about the country’s worsening situation, opposition leaders have not made concrete efforts to mobilise Nigerians for a change in government.
Lukman emphasised the need for opposition leaders to develop a strong and united political platform by December 2024. He believes that without a clear and selfless strategy, it will be challenging to defeat President Tinubu and the APC in the upcoming election.
Lukman stated, “It has become necessary to draw the attention of opposition political leaders in the country that the current care-free or unserious disposition could produce the disastrous outcome whereby Nigerians may be unable to change the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.”
He further warned, “The reality is that if by the end of December 2024, no structured engagement has commenced based on strategic initiative to develop the alternative political platform, oriented based on selfless disposition of opposition political leaders, it simply means that any opposition to APC and President Asiwaju Tinubu in 2027 will be based on personal ambitions of individual political leaders.”
Lukman criticized the existing opposition parties for their internal conflicts and lack of cohesion. He mentioned that major parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are struggling with leadership issues and are not effectively uniting against the APC.
He said, “Unfortunately, if anything, it is almost a case that all the existing registered political parties are decidedly in support of President Asiwaju Tinubu and to that extent therefore working covertly for his second term victory in 2027.”
Lukman noted that parties are currently dealing with their own crises, with PDP leaders in conflict with Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi facing challenges in the LP, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso leading a struggling NNPP.
He pointed out that the focus on individual aspirations could result in a government worse than the current one. He said, “It is almost a case that our opposition political leaders and opposition political parties are not troubled by the realities facing Nigerians.”
He urged opposition leaders to put aside personal goals and work together to create a viable alternative platform. Lukman emphasised that the lack of trust and cooperation among opposition figures is a significant barrier to meaningful political progress.
He stressed that without such an approach, the opposition may fail to offer a credible challenge to the APC in the 2027 elections.
“Part of the reality is that opposition political leaders in the country are stuck to old political ambitions and, to that extent, therefore, only strategizing to manipulate their emergence as candidates for election in 2027,” Lukman said.
