The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Elijah Ayodele, has said that a united opposition alliance could pose a strong challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, he warned that internal betrayal and lack of unity may weaken the coalition before it achieves its goal.
In a statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric said the idea of opposition parties coming together to present a single candidate is a positive step. According to him, such a move could make the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) uncomfortable and create real competition in the next election cycle.
Nigeria’s political space has often been dominated by strong ruling parties, with opposition groups struggling to unite against a common opponent. In recent years, discussions about forming alliances among opposition parties have increased, especially after the 2023 general elections, where divisions among opposition groups were seen as one of the factors that weakened their chances.
Speaking on the current moves toward coalition building, Ayodele said unity remains the most important factor if the alliance hopes to succeed. He stressed that without total commitment from all parties involved, the coalition may fail before reaching the election.
“If they are united till the end, they can shake Tinubu. The president will feel the heat if they are totally united; that’s the only thing that can give the project success,” he said.
The cleric added that while the alliance may start strong, there are signs that not all members are committed to its success. He warned that some individuals within the coalition may act in their own interest rather than the collective goal.
“APC will find it tough if they are united, but not everyone there is ready for success,” he stated.
Ayodele also alleged that there could be external pressure from the ruling party aimed at weakening strong figures within the opposition. According to him, such tactics could include political strategies designed to frustrate or sideline influential members of the alliance.
“However, the government will frustrate those who have strength among them to weaken them,” he said.
Ayodele echoed this concern, predicting that the current alliance may not last long due to a lack of sincerity among some of its members. He suggested that while the coalition might gain attention and momentum in the short term, it could eventually break down.
“The alliance between opposition parties is good. It will scale through for a while, but will be destroyed later because not all of them are sincere,” he claimed.
He further warned about possible legal battles that could affect the coalition. According to him, court cases and political disputes may arise, creating additional challenges for the alliance as it tries to stay united.
“The alliance is for a period, and they must be careful of court cases around them because it will be intense now,” he added.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, political activities are gradually taking shape, with both ruling and opposition parties strategizing for the future. Analysts believe that if opposition parties can overcome their differences and present a united front, they could significantly change the political landscape.
However, past experiences show that maintaining unity among diverse political groups remains a major challenge. The success or failure of any alliance may depend largely on trust, shared goals, and the willingness of members to put aside personal ambitions.
For now, Ayodele’s remarks add to the ongoing conversation about the possibility of a strong opposition movement in Nigeria. While his predictions highlight both hope and concern, the coming months will likely reveal whether the alliance can overcome internal divisions and present a credible challenge in 2027.