Martin Onovo, a former Presidential candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP), has stated that a strong alliance of opposition parties is the only viable strategy to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos, Onovo expressed confidence in the potential success of such a coalition, provided it remains united.
"The coalition will win the 2027 election with 99% votes if it's not self-sabotaged," Onovo declared. "Take it to bank, it'll not fail, it'll succeed and defeat the ruling party convincingly, if they do it well."
He emphasized the importance of internal cohesion, adding, "If the coalition isn't self-sabotaged, it'll be difficult for APC to return in 2027."
Coalition Efforts Underway
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, has been at the forefront of building this coalition. Reports indicate that Atiku has held discussions with Labour Party's Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
However, not all opposition figures share Onovo's optimism. Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), recently criticized the coalition efforts, suggesting they might inadvertently strengthen Tinubu's re-election bid rather than challenge it effectively.
During an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today, Sowore argued that the current coalition plans lack both vision and ideology, which could undermine their effectiveness against the ruling party.
The development comes as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various opposition figures exploring strategies to present a united front against the incumbent administration.
Follow BenriNews for more updates on Nigeria's political landscape:
