Nigerian Opposition Leaders Face Setback in Bye-Elections, Says ADC Chieftain
In a recent interview, Hon. Chille Igbawua, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), offered insight into the party’s performance in the recent bye-elections held across various states in Nigeria. Igbawua attributed the party’s loss to the fact that the candidates were not directly nurtured by prominent opposition leaders, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Nasir El-Rufai.
According to Igbawua, the outcome of the elections would have been different if these leaders had directly supported the candidates. He emphasized the importance of both structure and personality in winning elections, citing Peter Obi’s impressive performance in the 2023 presidential election as an example. Despite lacking a strong structure, Obi managed to win in 12 states, including Lagos, highlighting the significance of a candidate’s personality in garnering votes.
Igbawua’s comments come in response to a post by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who mocked opposition figures following the ADC’s poor performance in the bye-elections. Onanuga shared a picture of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai with the caption: “How is the market now?”
The opposition leaders, who are targeting President Bola Tinubu’s removal in 2027, had participated in the election via the ADC to test their popularity. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared the majority of the seats, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) recording some victories.
In an interview on Arise News, Igbawua further emphasized the importance of personality in elections. “When Peter Obi contested for the presidency, he didn’t have a structure, and he won twelve states. But does he have 12 governors in the states? No,” he said. “Personality is important. Sometimes the structure is important, but the personality is also critically important.”
Igbawua also noted that the performance of the ADC in the election was a “wonderful performance” considering the party was “virtually silent” until the coalition came about. He acknowledged that if Peter Obi, El-Rufai, or Atiku had been on the ballot, the outcome would have been different, but emphasized that their absence meant their image and political capital did not translate to the candidates.
The bye-elections serve as a crucial test for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. As the ADC and other opposition parties regroup and reassess their strategies, Igbawua’s comments highlight the need for strong leadership and personality-driven campaigns to challenge the ruling APC.
