Oluwaseun Adelore, a chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), says Nigeria’s opposition parties still have enough time to unite and mount a strong challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Adelore dismissed suggestions that discussions around an opposition coalition had effectively collapsed because of the individual ambitions of major opposition figures.
“I don’t share that sentiment that what they’re trying to do is just a scratch on the surface. No, I see the 2027 general election not as a sprint. I see it as a marathon race.”
He said the opposition still had time to reach an agreement and work towards a common objective ahead of the election.
“October will start tomorrow. We still have October, we have November. They can still come together and make a headway.”
Adelore said the willingness of opposition figures to work together would be critical if they were serious about changing the political situation in the country.
“If they are sincere about rescuing Nigeria from disputes, despair, poverty, mortality on the high rise, you know, reeling out figures without any meaningful values, without any meaningful achievements. I think it’s a lead if they can come together.”
He acknowledged that individual ambitions could make an opposition coalition difficult, noting that prominent figures may not readily agree on a single presidential candidate.
However, Adelore argued that political ambitions could still change as the election draws closer, saying opposition figures could eventually recognise the need to unite behind a common candidate.
“Many people come and all of them say that it’s their own candidate that should be the front runner. No, having people talking for them, you know, it might get to a stage when they will see that it could be any of us but Tinubu.”
He also said previous political developments showed that individuals could make sacrifices for a broader political objective.
“I would say why not because what happened before Jonathan was removed? Somebody, some group of people sacrificed and now that is history. They are there now.”
Adelore maintained that opposition unity could determine whether the incumbent president faces a serious challenge in 2027.
“If they are so serious of removing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to make it in 2027 is for them to be divided.”
He stressed that there was still considerable time for political realignments before the election.
“Anything can happen in politics. 24 hours is a very long time. Absolutely. So anything can still happen.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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