Akin Osuntokun, a former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, has expressed doubts about the viability of a newly formed opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. Osuntokun believes that Tinubu’s strong strategic advantage, combined with his experience as a politician, makes him a difficult opponent to beat.
The opposition coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was announced last week in Abuja. However, Osuntokun warned that internal disagreements, particularly over the selection of a presidential candidate, could derail the alliance. He advised the coalition leaders to nominate a candidate from the South, as a northern candidate like Atiku may struggle to gain nationwide support due to Nigeria’s North-South power rotation principle.
Osuntokun described Tinubu as an experienced politician with the power of incumbency, which he will likely use to his advantage if he seeks re-election in 2027. Tinubu’s ability to win elections against all odds, even when he was not President, makes him a formidable opponent.
Despite his doubts, Osuntokun acknowledged that forming a coalition was a valid strategy, citing the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. However, he maintained that Tinubu’s political strength and experience make him a difficult opponent to beat.
As the 2027 election approaches, the opposition coalition will need to overcome its internal challenges and present a united front to challenge Tinubu’s incumbency. However, with Tinubu’s strategic advantage and experience, it remains to be seen whether the coalition can successfully unseat him.