A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Buba Galadima, has predicted a difficult path for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging systemic efforts to weaken alternative political platforms in the country.
Galadima spoke on Saturday at the Obi-Kwankwaso Unity Summit held in Abuja, where political actors and supporters from various opposition blocs gathered to strengthen their alliances and strategies for the next election cycle.
He said Nigeria’s challenges would not be solved by external forces, stressing that citizens must take responsibility for addressing the country’s problems through democratic means.
‘Nobody will drop from the moon to solve our problems. We Nigerians must rise and solve them ourselves,’ he said.
The ADC stalwart, however, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to dominate the political space and create conditions that could make it difficult for opposition parties to field credible candidates.
He cited ongoing legal disputes and internal crises within opposition parties as part of what he described as a broader strategy to frustrate their participation in the electoral process.
Referring to recent court rulings affecting the ADC, Galadima questioned the feasibility of the party meeting critical timelines required to present candidates, suggesting that the situation could leave the party without a presidential flagbearer.
‘Can all the processes be completed before the deadline? If not, can the ADC have a candidate? It is clear that some of us must begin to look for alternatives,’ he said.
He further alleged that attempts were being made to engineer divisions within opposition parties by promoting multiple presidential aspirants, thereby making consensus difficult.
According to him, the option of conducting direct primaries nationwide would also pose logistical and security challenges for opposition groups.
Galadima warned that opposition leaders should prepare for intensified political attacks, including what he described as coordinated media campaigns aimed at discrediting their candidates.
‘They will deploy social media influencers and columnists to attack our leaders. We must be ready to respond with facts,’ he said.
In a more alarming claim, the ADC chieftain cautioned that political desperation could escalate into violence, alleging that opposition figures might become targets.
‘If we are not careful, they may even attempt to assassinate some of our leaders,’ he said, without providing evidence.
Despite the concerns, Galadima expressed optimism that a united opposition could defeat the ruling party, drawing historical parallels to leaders once seen as unbeatable but later removed from power.
‘I dare say there will be a ‘Moses’ who will contest and defeat the APC,’ he added.
Also speaking at the summit, the Director-General of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, John Ughulu, urged Nigerians to begin grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
He called on supporters to engage at the ward level to build a strong political base capable of challenging the ruling party.
The summit attracted prominent political figures and activists from the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient movements, including Aisha Yesufu and Isaac Fayose, underscoring ongoing efforts to forge a united opposition front ahead of 2027.