Nigerian public commentator Mahdi Shehu warned on Sunday that Nigeria’s opposition parties risk missing the 2027 elections because of internal division, personal ambition and a lack of cooperation among their leaders.
In a post on his verified X account, Shehu said parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), and Progressive Peoples Party (PRP) are struggling to present a united front capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that when opposition leaders prioritize personal ambition over collective strategy, they “end up with neither power nor honour but pain and lamentations.”
Shehu identified several factors he believes are weakening the opposition. He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of partiality, describing it as “an extension of APC.” He also claimed that APC senior figures appear to be coordinating to prevent credible opposition, and suggested that the judiciary lacks neutrality in political disputes.
The commentator criticised parts of the Electoral Act, calling some provisions “worse than a military decree” and skewed against opposition candidates. He said the desperation of opposition aspirants has further eroded their prospects, noting that personal ambitions “have overshadowed the dangers facing Nigeria.”
According to Shehu, the absence of unity among opposition politicians undermines their ability to mount an effective challenge. He said a cohesive alliance could have created a “historically formidable opposition” capable of contesting the APC’s dominance. Instead, repeated attempts by party members to switch allegiances—or return to the APC—are, in his view, “a final burial arrangement” that would leave Nigeria’s electorate “in the gutter.”
Shehu cautioned that the 2027 elections may represent a decisive moment for opposition leaders. He warned that failure to unite could diminish their relevance in national politics and potentially lead to a fragmented political landscape in which they have “no role to play.” Conversely, a united opposition could be recognised as a credible alternative, while continued division would reduce it to “combustible material with neither market nor value.”
Concluding his message, Shehu expressed confidence that divine intervention can alter difficult circumstances, stating that with God “everything is possible.”
Shehu’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes and the ability of opposition parties to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 general elections. Stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the opposition can overcome internal fractures and present a viable challenge to the incumbent ruling party.
