Public analyst Mahdi Shehu has raised concerns that Nigeria’s opposition parties are unintentionally aiding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. According to Shehu, the lack of cohesion and excessive personal ambition among opposition leaders are undermining their ability to present a credible challenge.
In a statement on his X account, Shehu pointed out that parties like the PDP, LP, ADC, NDC, and PRP are failing to forge a united front. He warned that when leaders prioritize personal gain over collective strategy, they risk losing both power and respect, leaving only regret.
Shehu criticized several factors eroding opposition strength, including perceived bias in the electoral system. He alleged that INEC appears partial and has become an extension of the APC. He also claimed that APC figures are working in unison to prevent strong opposition, and that the judiciary has not been impartial in political disputes.
He further argued that certain provisions of the Electoral Act are more restrictive than military decrees, disadvantaging opposition parties. Additionally, he noted that the desperation of opposition aspirants is worsening the situation. Their personal ambitions, he said, are blinding them to the larger dangers facing the nation. They are focused on themselves but fail to grasp the bigger picture.
Shehu emphasized that a united opposition could have formed a formidable force capable of matching the APC. However, the refusal of ambitious leaders to cooperate is fueling the APC’s success. He described reports of opposition members moving to other parties or returning to the APC as a final burial of their collective hopes.
He cautioned that 2027 could be a turning point. If opposition leaders fail to unite, they may lose their relevance in national politics entirely. Shehu stated that after losing the 2027 opportunity, there may no longer be a Nigeria for them to contest in, as smaller nations could emerge from the current instability.
Concluding his remarks, Shehu expressed hope in divine intervention, asserting that God can change the situation and that with faith, all is possible.