Professor Farooq Kperogi, a Communication expert at Kennesaw State University, has urged Nigeria's opposition parties to overcome internal divisions and self-interest if they hope to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. He made this call during a departmental seminar organized by the Political Science Department at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
Opposition Politics and the 2027 Election
Speaking on the theme 'Opposition Politics and the 2027 Election in Nigeria,' Kperogi, a well-known public affairs commentator and columnist, stated that the opposition is currently plagued by internal dissension, greed, and strategic miscalculation. He warned that their failure to present a common front and rally behind a single candidate could be their undoing.
Kperogi acknowledged that many Nigerians are frustrated with certain government policies, but emphasized that anger alone is insufficient to win an election. 'The opposition must instrumentalize such perceptions into something electorally meaningful,' he said. He noted that he has yet to see any leading opposition figure present a clear blueprint for economic recovery.
Conditions for Defeating the Incumbent
Kperogi argued that the conditions for defeating the incumbent already exist in widespread frustration and failed economic policies, but opposition figures have failed to harness them effectively. 'If Tinubu wins, it won't be because he wins—it will be because the opposition loses,' he said, adding that unity around a single candidate, as seen in 2015, could dramatically change the outcome.
He elaborated: 'So if he wins, it's not because he wins. It's because the opposition loses. And there's no possible deniability, even if he were to rig the election. But if all the opposition elements were to unite like they did, like the current government did in 2015, around one person, the possible deniability for him to say, well, this does not exist, it would be a massive landslide at this point. But because they don't have that, I don't think it's going to happen.'
Reimagining Democracy in Nigeria
Kperogi called for a reimagining of Nigeria's democracy, arguing that the presidential system adopted from America should grow organically from the country's unique social and historical experiences. 'We don't need a bicameral legislature. What are they doing? Senate, House of Reps, and then what do they do? They have become pitiful appendages of the executive,' he said. He stressed the need for a system that works, noting that even the spirit of democracy borrowed from America is not being respected.
Blocked Transformation and the Role of Youth
The professor said that the transformation Nigeria needs is being blocked by those invested in the current system, who are ready to defend it at all costs. He expressed hope that the younger generation would become impatient enough to organize and lead the movement for a different system sensitive to Nigeria's peculiarities, historical, and sociological conditions.
'We don't need a bicameral legislature. We don't need a winner-takes-all kind of politics,' he reiterated, calling for the constitutionalization of power rotation between regions and within regions to reflect Nigeria's multi-ethnic reality.
Criticism of Opposition Strategy
Kperogi criticized the opposition for being splintered and cowardly. 'Our politicians are already giving up right now because they are splintered. And how do you defeat someone who has the power of incumbency, has a huge war chest, and has the judiciary and electoral body in his pockets? The opposition, you appeal to the same slice of voters but you are splintered in three. Yet somehow you want to defeat him. It takes a lot of optimism to do that. The Nigerian politician can be some of the most cowardly people, the most yellow-bellied people.'
He warned that it is self-destructive for those in power to stifle the opposition, as it denies ordinary people an avenue to ventilate their angst and disillusionment. 'You are even denying ordinary people the right to look forward to getting psychological comfort from an opposition party. Right now we don't even know who is going to stand, whether ADC is going to present a presidential candidate,' he said.
