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By David Akoji
With less than two years to Nigeria’s next general elections, the political clock is ticking and loudly too, this is more so for the opposition, perhaps more urgently than for anyone else.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already set the framework in motion. The 2027 general elections are scheduled for February 2027, in line with constitutional timelines, with party primaries expected to hold several months before the polls. Under Nigeria’s Electoral Act, political parties must conclude primaries and submit candidates within clearly defined windows, leaving little room for prolonged internal disputes.
For Nigeria’s opposition parties, the pressing question is not merely whether they will contest but whether they will be ready and this question is pertinent against the current background of opposition bickering over the INEC Timetable.
An Opposition Landscape: Characterized by Fragmented Forces
Nigeria’s opposition space is led currently by the ADC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). While each commands pockets of influence across the country, the glaring fact remains that, none currently matches the nationwide machinery of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Since the 2023 elections, internal wrangling, leadership tussles and factional disputes have weakened the cohesion of several opposition parties. Court cases over party leadership, disputes over congresses and primaries, and accusations of imposition of candidates have become recurring features.
These challenges are not merely cosmetic; they directly affect voter confidence and organizational readiness and would certainly impact on opposition posture for the 2027 elections.
The Irony of Individual Ambitions vs Collective Strategy
A recurring obstacle within opposition politics is the clash of individual presidential ambitions.
Multiple heavyweights within the ADC and other parties are already positioning themselves for 2027. Within the LP and NNPP, questions about the future direction of party leadership continue to generate internal debates. The reality is that without a consensus-building mechanism, these ambitions may result in parallel power centres rather than a patriotic unified national front which is prerequisite for any meaningful opposition challenge to the ruling party.
The opposition needs to quit lamentation and promptly come to the realization that In a presidential system that requires broad national spread and constitutional thresholds, fragmentation often translates into defeat and as stated earlier, the clock is ticking loudly in the March towards 2027 elections.
Grappling with Internal Democracy and Courtroom Politics
Another major hurdle is internal party democracy. Nigerian political history shows that contentious primaries often lead to post-primary litigation. Court-ordered reruns, factional leadership recognition battles and candidate substitutions have previously destabilised opposition momentum.
If the opposition enters 2027 bogged down by legal disputes, it risks exhausting critical campaign time and financial resources long before the general election proper.
INEC’s timelines are unforgiving. In the present order, once nomination windows close, there is little opportunity for correction.
Funding and Organizational Capacity the Urgency of Now
Campaigns are expensive. Nationwide mobilization requires funding for logistics, media, grassroots structures and polling agents. The ruling party traditionally benefits from incumbency advantages and deeper fundraising networks.
Opposition parties, particularly smaller ones, must therefore build strong financial coalitions early. Without sustained funding, even the most charismatic candidate may struggle to maintain visibility across Nigeria’s vast electoral terrain.
Beyond money, there is the question of structure: functional state chapters, ward executives, digital membership registers, and reliable data management systems all increasingly necessary under modern electoral regulations.
Lessons from the 2015 APC Coalition
Perhaps the most instructive precedent remains the 2015 opposition coalition that birthed the APC and unseated the PDP government for the first time in Nigeria’s history.
The merger that formed the All Progressives Congress brought together diverse political blocs under a single platform, harmonized interests, and produced a unified presidential ticket. The coalition reduced vote splitting and presented Nigerians with a clear alternative.
Key lessons from 2015 include:
• Early coalition building
• Strategic compromise among party leaders
• A unified national narrative
• Swift conflict resolution mechanisms
Today’s opposition has yet to demonstrate that level of cohesion.
What the Opposition Is Not Doing Right
1. Delayed Coalition Talks: Conversations about alliances appear informal and personality driven rather than institutional and structured.
2. Public Display of lack of clarity as to who the coalition Presidential candidate will be: Frequent media exchanges among party factions project instability.
3. Weak Grassroots Rebuilding: Post-2023 electoral reforms demand stronger data-driven mobilization.
4. Over-Personalisation of Politics: Focus remains on personalities instead of coherent policy alternatives.
If these trends continue, the opposition may struggle to produce a widely acceptable presidential candidate within the required timeframe.
Can The Opposition Produce a Popular Candidate in Time?
The answer depends on three critical variables:
• Speed of Internal Reforms
• Ability to Build a Coalition
• Capacity to Manage Ambitions through Negotiation
Should opposition leaders prioritize collective victory and patriotism over individual aspirations as was seen in 2015, a consensus candidate could emerge before primary deadlines. If not, multiple strong contenders across fragmented platforms may split votes yet again thus enable a replay of previous defeat by the incumbent party.
What They Must Do to Stand a Chance
To remain competitive in 2027, opposition parties must:
• Initiate structured coalition talks well ahead of primaries which is in about three months time.
• Strengthen internal party democracy to avoid litigation.
• Invest in grassroots organization and digital mobilization.
• Develop issue-based campaigns around economy, security and governance.
• Present a unifying national message that transcends regional or factional appeal.
The Road to 2027
Nigeria’s democracy thrives on credible competition. A strong opposition strengthens governance, deepens accountability and broadens voter choice. This opinion piece is founded on the belief that in a democracy, there should be credible options to choose from.
As the INEC timetable advances and political activities intensify, the coming months will reveal whether Nigeria’s opposition parties can transform internal diversity into strategic unity or whether the 2027 elections will once again be shaped by fragmentation and missed opportunity at various levels of the forthcoming elections.
It is important to note that the countdown has begun.
