A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Buba Galadima, has called on Nigerians to unite and vote President Bola Tinubu out of office in the 2027 presidential election.
Galadima alleged that the Tinubu administration was deliberately making it difficult for opposition political parties to organise themselves and produce strong candidates ahead of the election.
He made the call during the inauguration of the NDC National Reconciliation Committee, set up to resolve disputes arising from the party’s primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC chieftain accused the President of using his position to protect himself and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, while creating obstacles for other political parties seeking to challenge the ruling party.
Galadima also alleged that Tinubu had influenced the development of the Electoral Act before it was presented to the National Assembly for consideration.
“Tinubu is only protecting himself and the APC and making it difficult for other parties to produce candidates,” he said.
He further accused the President of not preparing for a serious contest in 2027, but said Nigerians would not allow the election to be reduced to a one-sided contest.
“The president is not thinking of a contest with anybody, but we won’t allow it. Even if it’s an empty coffin, all Nigerians must come together and throw him out for the sake of this country,” Galadima said.
His comments came as political parties and politicians begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with opposition groups seeking ways to challenge the dominance of the APC at the national level.
Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the APC, defeating his closest rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
The election, however, was followed by legal challenges from opposition candidates who disputed the outcome. The Supreme Court later upheld Tinubu’s victory.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system. The government has defended the measures as necessary steps to reform the economy, increase government revenue and attract investment.
Opposition parties and groups have, however, criticised the impact of the reforms, particularly the rise in the cost of living, food prices and transportation costs.
The political climate has also been shaped by disagreements within several opposition parties, with some politicians calling for a broad coalition to challenge the APC in 2027.
Galadima’s call for unity among Nigerians and opposition forces reflects the growing debate over the possibility of a single opposition platform or alliance ahead of the next presidential election.
The opposition has continued to face the challenge of uniting politicians from different parties and political interests.
In previous elections, efforts to form a united opposition front have often been affected by disagreements over presidential candidates, party structures, power-sharing arrangements and control of political machinery.
The NDC itself is seeking to resolve internal disagreements following its primary election, which prompted the establishment of the National Reconciliation Committee.
Galadima urged members of the committee to work towards resolving the disputes and ensuring that the party enters the 2027 election as a united force.
The reconciliation process is expected to address grievances among party members and candidates and reduce the possibility of internal divisions weakening the party ahead of the general elections.
His remarks also touched on the role of the Electoral Act in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The Electoral Act provides the legal framework for the conduct of elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and sets out rules governing political parties, candidates, voting and other aspects of the electoral process.
Galadima’s allegation that Tinubu was involved in shaping the law before it reached the National Assembly is likely to add to the political debate over electoral reforms and the independence of the electoral process.
Political parties have repeatedly called for changes to Nigeria’s electoral system, including stronger safeguards for transparent elections and improved enforcement of electoral laws.
As preparations for 2027 gather pace, the question of whether opposition parties can overcome their differences and present a united challenge to the APC is expected to remain a major issue.
The APC remains the governing party at the federal level and controls several states, while opposition parties are seeking to expand their influence before the next election.
For Galadima, however, the priority is to ensure that Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the current administration come together and use their votes to bring about a change of government.
He insisted that the 2027 election should be a contest in which Nigerians have a clear choice between the ruling party and opposition forces.
His remarks are likely to further fuel discussions among opposition politicians about the need for cooperation, particularly as parties begin to position themselves for presidential and other elective positions.
With the 2027 elections still ahead, political parties are expected to intensify consultations, resolve internal disputes and build alliances in the months leading to their primaries and the eventual election campaign.
Galadima’s message was therefore both a call for opposition unity and a warning to political parties that internal divisions could weaken their chances of defeating the ruling party at the polls.
He maintained that Nigerians must unite around the goal of changing the government through the ballot box, insisting that the future of the country should be placed above individual political interests.