The Presidency has dismissed the viability of the recently announced opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that it is bound to collapse before it can pose any serious threat.
This position was articulated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, in response to the formal adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the coalition’s chosen political platform for contesting the 2027 presidential election.
According to Onanuga, the alliance comprises mainly disaffected former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose only shared objective is their strong animosity toward President Tinubu. He described the coalition as lacking a coherent ideology or policy framework, claiming its members are driven purely by personal ambition and lust for power, rather than any genuine commitment to national development.
He cautioned Nigerian voters to be wary of the opposition coalition, warning that entrusting them with power would derail the country’s progress.
Onanuga further predicted that the coalition would inevitably fall apart because of deep-seated personal rivalries and irreconcilable differences among its key figures.
“The so-called opposition coalition is a gathering of political opportunists who will not be able to maintain unity for long,” he said.
He specifically dismissed claims about the significance of some defectors from the APC now active in the coalition, arguing they had long abandoned the ruling party.
“Some of those now parading under the hijacked ADC banner actually left the APC months or even years ago,” he noted. “Nigerians should not be misled into thinking their exit is a new or consequential development.”
He pointed to several prominent individuals as examples:
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Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, whom he said effectively left the APC in 2022 after losing the presidential primary to Tinubu.
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Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation, who has been at odds with the party leadership ever since his unsuccessful bid for the Kebbi State governorship.
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Hadi Sirika, the former Aviation Minister, who is currently facing legal proceedings over allegations of contract fraud and mismanagement.
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Rauf Aregbesola, the former Interior Minister, whom Onanuga accused of anti-party activities during the Osun governorship election, leading to his expulsion from the APC.
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Kashim Imam, who reportedly distanced himself from the APC after failing to secure the vice-presidential ticket in 2022.
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Chief John Odigie Oyegun, the former APC National Chairman, whom Onanuga described as a founding member of the coalition who long lost interest in the ruling party.
He argued that these figures do not represent any credible alternative for Nigeria, saying their involvement in the coalition reveals its true nature.
“This group is nothing but a collection of politicians desperate to return to power at any cost,” he said. “They cannot stand four more years in the political wilderness and are prepared to do anything to avoid irrelevance.”
Onanuga urged Nigerians to scrutinise the intentions and track records of these politicians carefully, warning that they lack any serious program for Nigeria’s development.
“They have no clear vision or ideology except their hatred for President Tinubu,” he asserted. “Handing over the country to them would be disastrous and set us back by decades.”
He concluded with a warning:
“Nigerians must keep their eyes open. This so-called grand coalition will not last, because its members’ personal ambitions and egos will eventually tear it apart.”
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