By Erasmus Ikhide
THE recent alignment and realignment of political parties structures in Nigeria have dealt a significant blow to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed second term gambit, midway into the expiration of his first tenure in office and just before the 2027 Presidential election.
The defection of six high-profile members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) marks a turning point in the country’s political landscape. This development is not just a mere shift in party allegiance; it signals a deeper discontent with the current administration and a desire for change among Nigerians across board.
The ADC, once considered a marginal player in Nigerian politics, has emerged as a formidable force, attracting prominent politicians who have lost faith in the APC. The coalition formed within the ADC brings together influential figures from different backgrounds, united by their dissatisfaction with President Tinubu’s leadership and their earnest desire to ease him out of office through the ballot box in 2027. This alliance is not just about numbers; it represents a convergence of interests, ideologies, and a shared desire for a new direction.
What makes this development particularly significant is the unprecedented convergence of elite consensus with the aspirations of the Genzs population. The younger generation, disenchanted with the current power structure, is increasingly vocal about their demands for change. The ADC coalition’s emergence has tapped into this sentiment, creating a potent mix of established politicians and youthful energy.
The question on everyone’s mind is: What went wrong? Was it a case of President Tinubu mismanaging himself, or has he allowed himself to be mismanaged? The answers to these questions may vary, but one thing is clear: the Nigerian people are no longer willing to give the current administration the benefit of the doubt. The APC’s internal crises— perceived disconnect from the populace — and failure to deliver on key promises have eroded confidence in the party.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the ADC coalition’s strategy will be closely watched. Will they be able to capitalize on the current discontent and present a viable alternative to the APC? Only time will tell. However, one thing is certain: President Tinubu’s presidency is facing its most significant challenge yet, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s political future.
The trouble with Tinubu’s Presidency apart from his weak and incompetent media aides, like Bayo Onanuga and Reno Omokri — whose communication style have completely alienated the citizens from the government of outright falsehood — Tinubu has failed to arrest major drifts that have sullen his Presidency.
One of the scary crises and cynicism against the government is the worsening terrorism that has claimed the lives of millions of people since Tinubu took office two years ago. The latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Nigerian government’s agency reported that millions of lives have been lost to the dastardly acts of Boko Haram, ISWAP and Fulani terrorists herders between 2023 and 2024!
Nigeria recorded more than 600,000 deaths from insecurity between May 2023 and April 2024, according to data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report, released two months ago with users having a difficult time accessing the website because of a hack, said no fewer than 614,937 people were killed nationwide as the banditry-ravaged northwest saw the highest figure with 206,030.
It was followed by the northeast with 188,992, while the least was recorded in the southwest at 15,693, according to the report.
“The report is accurate, and it is from NBS. While I cannot speak specifically on the reasons for the high number, I can confirm that the data is accurate,” NBS spokesperson Sunday Ichedi confirmed to Anadolu on Thursday.
The NBS added that 2,235,954 Nigerians were kidnapped and a total of (N2,231,772,563,507 ($1,438,040,707.01) was paid in ransom.
Nigeria is facing multiple security challenges in different regions. While the country is battling a Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry and kidnapping are high in the northwest.
The other issue of major concerns is economic hardship. The administration’s economic reforms have led to increased hardship, with many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. It’s obvious that the government’s policies have impacted negatively on the economy since the sudden removal of fuel subsidy on Tinubu’s first day in office without adequate measures put in place to cushion the effect of the economic backlash.
These are in addition with the failed promises of his administration. The APC’s failure to deliver on its campaign promises such as “don’t vote for me for a second term if I don’t give you constant electricity” has eroded trust in the party. Today, President Tinubu is fixing solar electricity in Aso Rock with a whopping sum of N10 billion, while the nation remained in perpetual darkness. President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” has been criticized as a “theatre of hardship”.
Besides, his government has been accused of romanticizing with corrupt and ineffective state governors who prioritize personal interests over the welfare of their citizens. Also, there are concerns about the government’s accountability and transparency, with many Nigerians feeling that their leaders are more interested in personal gain than serving the public.
These developments have angered the younger generation who have become increasingly disenchanted with the current power structure, seeking change and better governance. Interestingly, this has given the opposition the opportunity to unite and present a credible alternative to the APC that is massively eroding the people’s support for the ruling party.
There’s no retelling that the political realignments in Nigeria mark a dark day for President Tinubu’s Presidency. The ADC coalition’s emergence has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, and the road ahead will be fraught with challenges. As the country glides towards the 2027 elections, one thing is clear — the Nigerian people are demanding verifiable and believable change — and politicians and Genzs must respond accordingly.
Erasmus Ikhide contributed this piece via: ikhideluckyerasmus@gmail.com
