2027: Why opposition may be too weak to challenge Tinubu

…As Atiku, others struggle to secure platforms

There are indications that opposition political parties may not be able to develop the much needed internal cohesion to face the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, as the parties are all engrossed in internal conflicts

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, has continued to struggle from one form of internal conflict to another, in an effort to rebuild the party and prepare for the 2027 election.

This is just as the party’s November 15 and 16 national elective convention now hangs on the October 31st decision of the Court in Abuja.

Some members of the party had approached the court to stop the party from going ahead with the elective convention.

Read also: 2027: ADC ranks swells in Lagos as conscience forum joins party

But while the opposition continues to struggle with its internal democratic rumbles, the ruling All Progressive Congress APC is waxing stronger

Four Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Bayeslsa have already abandoned the party for the ruling APC.

The party is strengthening its base at the grassroot where it is expected to grow the number of voters, ahead of 2027.

The crises is linked to group loyal the camp of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, with Austin Nwachukwu, Chairman of the PDP in Imo State; Amah Nnanna, Chairman of the PDP in Abia State; and Turnah George, Secretary of the PDP South-South Zone, are leading the plaintiffs

James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed the 31st of October to decide whether the party can go ahead with the convention

The aggrieved group expressed displeasure with the Umar Damagum-led NWC over issues surrounding the South-South zonal leadership, party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States, as well as the micro-zoning arrangement for the convention.

The group warned that the planned convention could be jeopardized if the party fails to review some of its recent decisions.

Similar crises is currently ravaging the African Democratic Congress ADC, leading to the expulsion of its Deputy National Chairman and others

The crises has also led to the appointment appointment of Nenadi Usman and Bashir Saidu as State Coalition Chairman and Co-Chairman:

In a press conference held at Golden Orange Gate Hotel, Narayi High Cost on Sunday, the party said the action was necessary in other unite all opposition leaders in Kaduna State under the African Democratic Congress (ADC);

The party blamed the ruling APC for “infiltrating and undermining the unity of opposition political leaders in state so as to impede the proper reorganization, growth and development of the ADC in the State;

“As part of the initiative to infiltrate and undermine the unity of opposition political leaders, some mercenary politicians have sponsored some willing tools to institute a court case against some leaders of the coalition, including Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Mallam Jaafaru Sani, National Vice Chairman (North-West).

“Having reviewed all the developments within the ADC and the coalition in the state, we hereby endorsed the decision of the ADC State Working Committee under the leadership of Elder Patrick Didam Ambut to expel the Deputy Chairman, Alh. Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Idris Musa, State Vice Chairman Zone 1, Suleiman Abdullahi, State Trsurer, Gambo Sani, State Financial Secretary, Magaji Maiwada, State Legal Adviser Danlami Dabai, State Coordinator of PWD, Sakura Muhammed and State Deputy Youth Leaders, Ibrahim Muhammed and Mansur Gaga.”

“In addition, coalition leaders unanimously resolved to blacklist Hon. Adamu Ahmed Dattijo, Alh. Suleiman Abdullahi and Sen. Musa Bello for initiating a court case against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Jaafaru Sani and Bashir Saidu without allowing internal dispute process to be concluded , which ostensibly confirmed ulterior motives and underhand dealings with the APC or their agents in order to undermine the capacity of the coalition to reorganize the ADC to become a strong party capable of defeating the APC in 2027 in Kaduna State.”

“Accordingly therefore coalition leaders in Kaduna State enjoined ADC leaders at national level and the general public to henceforth cease any relationship with them with respect to activities of the ADC and the coalition in Kaduna state.

Read also: 2027: Governor Bassey Otu declares APC constitution amendment, public hearing open for South-South

“As part of the strategic objective of ensuring the emergence of a disciplined leadership in the State, Sen. Nenadi Usman and Alh. Muhammad Bashir Saidu are hereby returned as Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the coalition in Kaduna State. With this decision, they will now be the rallying point of activities of the coalition and reorganizing the ADC in Kaduna State.

In a related development, the Labour Party LP is also entangled in internal crises that made it impossible for the party to conduct credible congresses and re-strategise ahead of the 2027 election.

This followed the expiration of the tenure of the Julius Abure led national Working Committee NWC and the inability of the partty to replace them.

All effort to broker peace between the leadership and members of the party has so far proved abortive.