Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has said that divisions among opposition leaders will make it easier for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Oshiomhole described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the APC’s “best campaign manager,” alleging that his public criticisms of other opposition figures, particularly Peter Obi, are weakening their camp.
He also pointed to tensions between Obi and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, saying the exchanges among leading opposition figures would ultimately benefit the APC in 2027.
“You mean the APC would be worried about which of the parties now… ADC? I saw Atiku. Atiku is now our best campaign manager because he is attacking Obi, and I see Obi attacking Amaechi,” Oshiomhole said.
“I see Amaechi say Obi is a regional player, Atiku is a regional player, and he is the only national player, but he didn’t tell us what his ward unit looks like.”
The former Edo State governor expressed confidence that the opposition would be decisively defeated in 2027, regardless of any coalition arrangements being discussed.
He challenged opposition figures to clearly outline what they would do differently from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“So, the opposition can have their dreams, but they will be defeated flatly because nobody believes them,” he said.
“They must tell Nigerians what policies they would reverse — whether it is taxation, fuel subsidy removal, student loans, or any of the bold decisions President Tinubu has taken.”
Oshiomhole accused opposition politicians of being united only by ambition for power, arguing that Tinubu had taken difficult but necessary steps to restructure the economy.
Nigeria’s political climate is already heating up ahead of the 2027 elections, with several major opposition figures positioning themselves for a potential challenge to President Tinubu.
Atiku Abubakar, who finished second in the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, who came third, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former minister Rotimi Amaechi are among key players expected to shape the contest.
Opposition figures had initially explored a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but internal disagreements have complicated those plans.
Obi and Kwankwaso later moved to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing legal disputes within the ADC, while Atiku and Amaechi remain in the ADC ahead of upcoming primaries.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
APC spokesperson Felix Morka said the decision was taken at the party’s 188th National Working Committee meeting, where Tinubu was deemed “duly screened” in line with party rules for participation in the primaries.
