Nigerians Have Lost Confidence in Opposition Ahead of 2027 Elections – Salihu Lukman
As political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, former African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Salihu Lukman has expressed concern over the current state of the country’s opposition parties, saying many Nigerians no longer have confidence in them.
According to Lukman, internal divisions among opposition leaders have weakened their ability to present a strong alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving many voters frustrated and uncertain about the future.
Opposition Yet to Present a Strong Alternative
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Lukman argued that neither the APC nor the opposition has successfully convinced Nigerians that they can deliver meaningful change.
He said the inability of opposition parties to unite behind a credible presidential candidate has further damaged public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Right now, Nigerians don’t even have confidence in the opposition, largely because we are divided.
“The opposition cannot get themselves together and present a viable presidential candidate. We don’t want to go and contest and end up having coronation.”
His comments come amid ongoing discussions about coalition talks among opposition figures seeking to challenge the APC in the next presidential election.
Lukman Warns of Low Voter Turnout in 2027
Lukman also warned that confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process has continued to decline, raising concerns that voter turnout could be significantly lower during the 2027 polls.
According to him, widespread voter apathy would increase the chances of electoral malpractice and undermine the credibility of the election.
“At the moment, confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process is very low, therefore the probability of voter apathy is very high.”
He added that low participation could create an environment where election manipulation becomes easier.
Vote Buying and Election Rigging Remain Major Concerns
The former ADC chieftain further expressed concern over the growing prevalence of vote buying, describing it as one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
He argued that when voter turnout is low, elections risk becoming contests dominated by financial influence rather than the will of the people.
“Once there’s voter apathy, incidences of election manipulation and rigging will be high.
“At the end of the day, we may end up in the situation with who can rig better, and so far, rigging is the function of the resources you control. Check, incidences of vote buying now is very high.”
His remarks add to the growing debate over electoral reforms and the need for stronger political institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
