Presidency Urges Opposition to Abandon 2027 Hopes, Says Tinubu’s Leadership Will Run Its Full Course Till 2031

 

The Presidency has taken a bold stance against the newly announced coalition movement under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), advising its members to abandon hopes of contesting the 2027 general elections and instead focus their energy on the political horizon of 2031.

This warning came in response to a recent meeting of high-profile opposition figures who gathered in Abuja to unveil the ADC as a unifying political front. The coalition includes heavyweight political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidency, Sunday Dare, a key presidential spokesperson, dismissed the group’s efforts as politically hollow and lacking the vision or cohesion necessary to challenge the current administration. During his remarks in Abuja, Dare downplayed the credibility of the coalition, labeling it a mere convergence of individuals driven by personal ambition and political bitterness.

According to Dare, the idea that the coalition could upend the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government was unrealistic and misguided. He questioned the political maturity of the group, asserting that none of its members possessed the depth of democratic capital or leadership acumen required to steer the nation.

“None of them measures up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s democratic credentials or his political foresight,” Dare declared. “The Presidency rightly rests with the region where it belongs and will remain so until 2031. It’s not a matter open for negotiation.”

The spokesperson went further to characterize the new political arrangement as a “purely opportunistic gathering of disgruntled politicians” and claimed their intentions were far from noble. He suggested that the driving force behind the coalition was not a desire to correct systemic injustices but rather a craving for control of the national treasury.

“There is no injustice being fought here,” Dare said. “What you’re seeing is a frantic attempt to satisfy the political appetites of a few individuals who feel left out of the current political structure.”

Referencing the historical backdrop of the APC’s rise to power in 2015, Dare pointed out that the merger that birthed the ruling party was rooted in unity, national interest, and personal sacrifice. He praised President Tinubu for his patience and long-term vision during that period, noting that he did not rush to seize power but rather invested time in building a strong, sustainable political platform.

“The leaders of the APC merger put the country first,” Dare emphasized. “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had every reason to push his ambitions forward, given the backing he had from sitting governors. But he chose to play the long game and build something enduring. That level of political maturity and strategic discipline is missing in this new coalition.”

Dare also took a swipe at the individual leaders of the coalition, claiming none had the national appeal or trust needed to unite Nigerians. He criticized what he described as “political harlotry” within the opposition, arguing that their frequent party switches and alliances reveal a lack of true conviction or ideological foundation.

“No one among them can claim to inspire widespread loyalty. None of them can genuinely unify even a ward, let alone a complex and diverse country like Nigeria,” he said.

The comments from the Presidency come as the political atmosphere intensifies ahead of the 2027 election cycle. The formation of the ADC-led coalition has sparked renewed discussions about opposition strategy, unity, and electoral viability. However, the administration remains confident that it has done enough in the last two years to secure the trust of Nigerians.

Dare was quick to cite achievements of President Tinubu’s administration as proof of its legitimacy and capacity. According to him, these accomplishments should serve as a reminder that effective governance, not noisy alliances, is what ultimately wins the people’s support.

With 2027 drawing closer, the ADC coalition faces the challenge of proving its staying power. Yet the message from the Presidential Villa is clear: the seat of power is not vacant, and any hopes of wresting it from the APC before 2031 are, in the words of Dare, "built on illusion rather than strategy."

As both camps gear up for a potentially tense political contest, the next few years will test not only the resolve of the opposition but also the durability of Tinubu’s political machine.