…as Party Chieftains warn of repeat of 2023 scenario
By Sodiq Adelakun
As the political clock ticks toward the 2027 general election, opposition parties in the country are caught in a familiar web of infighting, ego battles, and unresolved grievances that threaten to undermine its collective strength.
Two years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, political sources warn that a repeat of the opposition’s disunity in 2023 could pave the way for another straightforward victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Inside the ranks of the opposition, there is growing apprehension that internal power struggles could overshadow the broader objective of reclaiming power from the ruling party.
Senior members across the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the emerging All Democratic Alliance (ADA) are locked in internal tussles over control, candidacy, and ideology.
According to several sources, reconciliation talks have stalled, and mutual distrust has widened with most opposition figures reluctant to set aside personal ambition for collective strength.
The once-dominant PDP, Nigeria’s longest-serving ruling party, continues to bleed members and influence after years of unending crisis.
Since its defeat in 2015, the party has been riddled with factional divisions, regional rivalry, and leadership paralysis that have prevented it from mounting a credible comeback.
Preparations for its forthcoming national convention, scheduled for November, have been overshadowed by sharp disagreements within the National Working Committee (NWC).
The camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Nyesom Wike, has continued to hold sway, complicating efforts by other blocs to rebuild the party’s unity. Wike’s group, though officially within the PDP, has openly expressed support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Party stakeholders such as former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, have been vocal about the need for reconciliation and leadership renewal. Prof. Gana and others are reportedly advocating for the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Labour Party candidate Mr. Peter Obi to strengthen the party’s presidential prospects.
However, this idea faces strong resistance from other factions, particularly Wike’s bloc.
Former Presidential aspirant, Dr. Olawepo-Hashim, has cautioned the PDP against what he described as manipulated consensus or backroom selection” of candidates.
Similarly, the Labour Party (LP), which surged in 2023, has lost momentum due to leadership disputes and court battles, with four rival factions currently claiming control.
The most visible is the Julius Abure-led faction and another backed by former Minister of Finance Esther Nenadi Usman, reportedly supported by Obi and Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti. Efforts by Obi’s 2023 running mate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, to broker reconciliation have achieved little, with an LP insider admitting to too much ego and distrust among leaders.
A similar crisis is evident in the ADC, which has positioned itself as a potential opposition rallying point but is divided by disputes over its structure and presidential ticket.
Former APC National Vice Chairman Dr. Salihu Lukman, now in the ADC, warned that the party must first unite itself before talking about leading a coalition.
The disarray mirrors the 2023 scenario that fragmented the opposition vote and secured Tinubu’s victory. In that election, the APC secured 8.7 million votes, while the opposition vote was split among the PDP (6.9 million), LP (6.1 million), and NNPP (1.4 million).
Chief Chekwas Okorie, founder of APGA, predicted the 2027 election will again be a three-horse race among Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi, stressing that without a merger, they will split the votes again.
Northern political leader Alhaji Yerima Shettima warned that the opposition is united only in grievances but divided in purpose.
In contrast, President Tinubu has steadily consolidated his influence within the APC, with party organs already endorsing him as the presumptive 2027 candidate.
Analysts note that Tinubu’s firm control, combined with visible economic reforms and political appointments, has helped him strengthen loyalty, making the ruling party’s challenges far less threatening than the existential crises tearing through the opposition.
