By
Chief Akinwumi Akinfenwa
Nigeria stands today at a critical crossroads. Amid deepening economic woes, worsening insecurity, spiraling inflation, and the implementation of harsh policies without a human face, the average Nigerian is suffocating under an unprecedented burden. It is against this grim backdrop that the urgent call echoes louder than ever: it is time to forge a strong, broad-based coalition to wrestle power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next electoral cycle.
If ever there was a time for Nigeria’s opposition forces to put aside personal ambitions, political egos, and parochial party interests, it is now. The window to salvage the nation’s future is narrow, but it remains open — and history demands that genuine patriots step forward.
*The Worsening Economic Situation: A Catalyst for Action*
Since the inauguration of the Tinubu administration, Nigerians have faced a relentless onslaught of economic hardship:
The abrupt removal of fuel subsidy without adequate cushioning measures plunged millions into poverty.
The reckless devaluation of the naira without firm monetary policy support triggered hyperinflation, making basic commodities unaffordable.
Unchecked taxation policies have stifled small businesses, while unemployment continues to rise at alarming rates.
Insecurity persists, and in many regions, governance appears absent.
Ordinary citizens are struggling to afford food, transportation, healthcare, and education. The so-called “reforms” have not trickled down in benefits but have instead widened the gulf between the wealthy elite and the suffering masses. The administration’s detachment from the reality of Nigerian life has fueled mass anger — a sentiment ripe for political mobilization.
*Why a United Opposition Is Imperative*
Historically, fragmented opposition efforts have gifted incumbent powers easy victories. The 2023 elections revealed the dangers of a splintered opposition: votes were divided among several parties, allowing APC to consolidate power despite widespread dissatisfaction.
If opposition parties truly seek to rescue Nigeria, they must:
Set aside personal ambitions: It is not about who becomes president, governor, or senator. It is about saving Nigeria.
Agree on a unified platform: A clear, people-centered policy alternative must be crafted and presented to Nigerians.
Run a single presidential candidate: Vote-splitting must be avoided at all costs.
Mobilize at the grassroots: The real power lies in the millions of disenfranchised and disillusioned Nigerians eager for genuine change.
Coalition building should not be an afterthought months before the election. The groundwork must start now.
*Blueprint for Building the Coalition*
1. Convene a National Opposition Summit
Leaders of all opposition parties — PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, SDP, ADC, APGA, YPP, and others — should urgently organize a summit to deliberate on a framework for cooperation.
2. Adopt a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
An agreement must be signed to prioritize Nigeria above individual interests. The coalition should be bound by principles, not just the pursuit of power.
3. Formulate a Common Policy Agenda
The coalition should produce a People’s Manifesto, focusing on:
Economic revitalization
Security reform
Social welfare programs
Education and healthcare investment
True federalism and decentralization of power
4. Set up a Joint Election Management Committee
A technocratic, professional team should be tasked with strategy, polling, fundraising, legal matters, and voter mobilization.
5. Adopt a Bottom-Up Approach
Engage local leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, women associations, labour unions, and civil society in coalition building. Elections are not won in Abuja but in villages, towns, and grassroots communities.
6. Present a Credible, Charismatic Presidential Candidate
A candidate with integrity, vision, and broad acceptability across regions, religions, and ethnicities must emerge — through consensus, not imposition.
7. Develop a Media and Messaging Strategy
Counter APC’s propaganda machinery with facts, hope, and a clear roadmap for Nigeria’s rebirth.
*Potential Challenges — And How to Overcome Them*
Personal ambition among leaders: Regular negotiation, mediation, and power-sharing agreements must be instituted early.
Ethnic and regional differences: The coalition must emphasize national unity and shared destiny.
APC’s use of state power and security forces: International bodies and democratic watchdogs must be proactively engaged to monitor the electoral process.
Voter apathy: With persistent engagement, town halls, social media outreach, and community organizing, trust in the democratic process must be restored.
*Conclusion: Seize the Moment*
Nigeria cannot afford another four or eight years of leadership disconnected from the people’s suffering. The opposition must rise beyond rhetoric and truly organize — not just to contest power, but to take it, responsibly, in the interest of national salvation.
History favours those who dare to act when the moment calls. For Nigeria, that moment is now.
CHIEF AKINWUMI AKINFENWA WRITES FROM IBADAN, OYO STATE
