As Nigeria gears up for its next presidential election in 2027, political activist and former candidate Chief Martin Onovo has issued a stark warning: no single opposition party can unseat President Bola Tinubu without a broad-based coalition.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Onovo stressed that only a unified alliance of opposition forces could effectively challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The path to victory lies in unity,” he said. “I was instrumental in forming the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), the largest alliance in the Fourth Republic. A similar effort today could yield even greater success if it remains cohesive.”
He praised the recent push for unity spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling it a “step in the right direction” and insisting that a well-managed coalition could achieve an overwhelming victory in 2027.
“The coalition, if not derailed by internal sabotage, has the potential to win with up to 99% of the vote,” Onovo stated confidently.
Onovo, who currently heads policy initiatives at the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), did not spare the Tinubu administration in his mid-term appraisal. He criticised its handling of national security and the lack of basic provisions for Nigerians.
“The administration’s achievements so far are minimal. The president must act with greater urgency in addressing poverty and insecurity,” he said. “Time is running out.”
He also urged Tinubu to overhaul his cabinet by replacing political loyalists with technocrats who can deliver tangible results.
“We need leaders with real expertise in the economy and national security. Strategy, ethics, and effective leadership must replace political patronage,” Onovo argued.
In addition, he called on the government to confront corruption more aggressively and tackle the widening inequality that he believes is at the root of social unrest.
“The inequality index must be addressed if we’re to see lasting peace and development. Without that, any progress will be unsustainable,” he said.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, Onovo’s remarks underscore growing dissatisfaction with the current leadership and highlight the critical importance of opposition unity in shaping Nigeria’s political future.
