2027: Opposition Must Unite Behind One Candidate to Defeat Tinubu, Lukman Says
A former national chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has called on Nigeria’s opposition parties to rally behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Lukman warned that allowing several opposition candidates to contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could split the opposition vote and ultimately strengthen the incumbent’s chances of securing another term.
He argued that the outcome of past elections in Nigeria and other countries shows that a fragmented opposition often struggles against an incumbent with an established political structure.
According to him, opposition parties targeting the same electorate must be willing to put aside their individual ambitions and work together if they genuinely want to challenge Tinubu at the polls.
“The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent.”
Lukman said competing opposition parties could end up weakening themselves by dividing their supporters, resources and political structures among several candidates.
He added that the situation should push opposition leaders to rethink their strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy.”
Opposition Parties Set for Fresh Unity Talks
Lukman’s comments come as several opposition political groups prepare for a meeting aimed at building a stronger platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are among the groups expected to participate in discussions scheduled for Monday, August 31.
The planned engagement is focused on finding common ground among opposition forces seeking to prevent Tinubu from securing a second term.
The major challenge, however, remains whether the different political blocs can agree on one candidate and resist individual presidential ambitions.
With the 2027 election approaching, the ability of the opposition to maintain unity could become one of the biggest factors shaping the presidential race.
