A former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Kayode Oladele, has stated that opposition efforts to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election will fail due to deep structural, leadership, and ideological weaknesses within opposition parties.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oladele noted that beyond the internal strength of the ruling APC, opposition groups, including the African Democratic Congress, have failed to convince Nigerians that they possess the capacity, unity, and vision required to govern a complex country like Nigeria.
Lack of Clear Agenda
He argued that a major weakness of the opposition is the absence of a clear and coherent development agenda. Much of their focus has been on removing the President rather than offering practical solutions to national challenges.
“Nigeria has moved beyond politics driven by mere agitation for power,” Oladele said. “Nigerians want ideas, direction, and credible alternatives. What we see instead is a fixation on power without a clear vision of governance.”
Economic Reforms and Gains
Oladele contrasted this with what he described as emerging gains from the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms. He stressed that while the policies have been tough, they are beginning to reposition the country for long-term growth and stability.
Internal Disunity in Opposition
He also cited internal disunity within opposition parties as a major obstacle to their 2027 ambitions, pointing to leadership tussles, legal battles, and persistent power struggles that have weakened party structures and public confidence.
“With party primaries approaching, it is worrying that some opposition parties are still bogged down by leadership disputes,” he said. “Any party that cannot manage its internal affairs will struggle to convince Nigerians it can run the country.”
Criticism Driven by Entrenched Interests
The former Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission added that many of the criticisms against the current administration were driven by individuals and groups unhappy with the disruption of what he termed “business as usual.” According to him, reforms aimed at transparency and accountability have unsettled entrenched interests that benefitted from systemic inefficiencies, leading to louder opposition voices.
Call for APC Unity
Oladele urged members of the APC to remain united and focused, stressing that sustained engagement with the electorate and effective delivery of governance would be crucial ahead of 2027. He expressed confidence that the impact of current policies would be more visible before the next general election, strengthening public trust in the administration.
“In the end, Nigerians will judge based on performance, stability, and the credibility of alternatives,” Oladele said. “On these grounds, the opposition still has a lot of work to do, and time is not on their side.”
