Nigerian Opposition Coalition Plans Under Fire: Sowore Warns of Boosting Tinubu’s Re-Election Bid
In a scathing critique, Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has lambasted the current coalition plans among Nigerian opposition parties, warning that they may inadvertently boost President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election rather than challenge it. Sowore’s comments, made during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, underscore the deepening concerns over the lack of vision and ideology in the opposition’s efforts to unseat the incumbent president.
According to Sowore, the coalition talks are "hollow" and lack the necessary ideological substance and purpose, making it easy for Tinubu to rerun and return to office. He argued that the opposition’s efforts are preventing the emergence of a "real, organic coalition of the oppressed" and that Nigerians are being distracted by the conversations about coalitions. Sowore emphasized that any coalition without ideology, conviction, character, or integrity is a "lonely coalition" doomed to fail.
The criticism comes amid growing political realignment in Nigeria, with various actors positioning themselves for the next presidential race. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been championing the opposition front, holding talks with Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, the coalition efforts appear far from cohesive, with the PDP Governors’ Forum openly distancing itself from the talks, citing concerns about undermining the party’s internal stability.
Sowore’s warning is echoed by Obi, who has made it clear that he will not join any alliance formed solely for seizing power, insisting that any merger must address Nigeria’s deeper governance problems. Instead, Sowore urged Nigerians to stop depending on political elites and begin crafting solutions on their terms. "The people need to understand that the only way out is the one they design for themselves," he said. "If you keep letting them do what they are doing with you — and you get distracted by all these conversations about coalitions — you are going to find yourself in a worse situation than now."
As Nigeria navigates its complex political landscape, Sowore’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the need for a cohesive and visionary opposition that truly represents the interests of the Nigerian people. With the next presidential election on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether the opposition can put aside their differences and present a united front against the incumbent president. One thing is certain, however: the Nigerian people will be watching closely, eager for a leadership that truly serves their needs and aspirations.
