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By Comrade Sanusi A. S. Maikudi
The debate over Nigeria’s 2027 general elections is already taking shape in 2025 with the opposition’s new coalition adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform. The coalition, viewed by many as a possible vehicle to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been drawing attention. But former Jigawa State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has sounded a note of caution that could determine whether the movement survives or collapses.
In a recent interview, Lamido argued that the coalition risks failure if it chooses the wrong presidential candidate. He warned that without internal cohesion, the movement could easily be fractured by President Tinubu, who is widely regarded as a master strategist.
Lamido drew a comparison with the 2014 coalition that gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him, the APC was not just a union of politicians but a merger of “strong, cohesive, and organic political institutions” such as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), governors from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a powerful bloc from the PDP. These structures, he said, had functioning grassroots machinery, discipline, and a shared sense of purpose.
By contrast, he described the ADC-led opposition movement as “a coming together of individuals,” lacking the institutional backbone that propelled APC to victory in 2015.
Why Lamido’s Warning Matters
Analysts note that Lamido’s remarks do not mean the coalition is doomed, but that it is vulnerable. Nigerian political history is littered with alliances that collapsed under the weight of ego battles, unclear agreements, and weak ideological foundations. Without unity of purpose, they argue, incumbents have often been able to exploit divisions through appointments, inducements, intimidation, or regional politics.
Lamido’s intervention, therefore, is a reminder that defeating an incumbent requires more than being united against him—it requires being united for something clear and compelling.
Beyond Lamido: The Opposition’s Burden
Observers also point out that many opposition figures risk complacency by limiting themselves to issuing statements and attending selective meetings without the hard work of mass mobilisation. Winning elections, they argue, demands risks, grassroots engagement, and a clear ideological framework that separates the opposition from the ruling APC.
Some of the critical steps identified include:
Developing a shared national vision beyond just removing Tinubu.
Establishing a transparent candidate selection process to avoid personality-driven disputes.
Building functional state-level structures across the 36 states and the FCT.
Ensuring inclusive power-sharing arrangements that reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
Forging strategic alliances with governors and legislators who command grassroots support.
Maintaining narrative discipline and consistent messaging.
Setting up conflict resolution mechanisms to manage inevitable internal disputes.
A Patriotic Call
For Lamido, the stakes are far greater than party rivalry. Nigerians, he said, are struggling under harsh economic policies that have deepened poverty, eroded purchasing power, and left millions in despair. The 2027 elections, therefore, are not just about replacing leaders but about changing the nation’s trajectory.
“This is bigger than Lamido, bigger than Atiku, bigger than Tinubu, and bigger than any single political party,” he said, calling on coalition leaders, party chieftains, and grassroots organisers to put national interest above personal ambition.
The Road Ahead
Lamido’s words, political watchers insist, should not be read as discouragement but as hard-earned wisdom. If the ADC-led coalition is to transform from a temporary alliance into a durable institution, it must evolve quickly, organise effectively, and inspire confidence in Nigerians desperate for relief.
The clock is ticking. Whether the coalition rises to the patriotic call or becomes another broken promise in Nigeria’s political history remains to be seen.
Comrade Maikudi writes from Kaduna, Nigeria
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