Human rights lawyer and political activist, Deji Adeyanju, has expressed doubts about the strength of the opposition heading into the 2027 presidential election, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is likely to win re-election due to the weakness and disunity in the opposition.
Adeyanju, who once supported the idea of a strong coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said his excitement has faded. He explained that the way the coalition is being planned—by insisting on particular candidates like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, or Rotimi Amaechi without consensus will only lead to another Tinubu victory.
“I see President Bola Ahmed Tinubu winning the next presidential election. Many may not agree with me, but just look at how they plan to form the coalition—by saying it must be Atiku or nothing, Obi or nothing, Amaechi or nothing. That kind of plan won’t work,” Adeyanju said.
He added that what Nigeria lacks today is a true opposition. “We all saw what real opposition looked like in 2013 and 2014 when the APC was rising. At that time, people put aside their personal ambition and came together with one goal. That is missing today.”
According to Adeyanju, any serious coalition must involve compromise and selflessness, similar to how the APC came together before the 2015 elections.
He also named former President Goodluck Jonathan as the only southerner with the national influence to pose a serious challenge to Tinubu. “Jonathan is the only one in the South with the political weight and goodwill to match Tinubu. No other southern politician can do it,” he stated.
Adeyanju’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about the opposition’s ability to unite and offer a strong challenge in 2027.
