Former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, have slammed the recent coalition by opposition personalities, saying that the move lacks the necessary political structure that will challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2027 elections.
The former governor made this known through a statement released on Friday, where he likened the coalition to an informal gathering of presidential aspirants rather than a well-organized political merger.
He revealed that it was not purposeful as it does not have the backing of the most leadership of the major opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).
According to Shekarau, “The coming together of some senior members of opposition parties is a welcome development, as seen recently under what they call a ‘coalition’ of opposition parties. But unfortunately, most people do not realize that this so-called coalition has nothing to do with the major opposition parties; PDP and LP,”
He explained that the coalition is being championed by individuals rather than established political structures that will drive home a point, making it a jamboree gathering that does not pose any serious threat to the APC’s national dominance.
He recalled similar incident in the 2013 merger that led to the formation of the APC, which involved the unification of four registered parties; the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Shekarau said, “The first political merger in Nigeria happened in 2013 when four registered parties merged to form the APC. So, technically, the APC is not a ‘new party.’
It was an alliance of registered and well structured opposition political parties that were already grounded with elected state governors, state and National Assembly members, and significant grassroots support,” Shekarau explained.
He pointed that the recent passage of the controversial State of Emergency law against Rivers State by the National Assembly has exposed the coalition’s lack of influence over opposition lawmakers.
“What happened at the National Assembly on March 20, 2025, regarding the ‘State of Emergency’ in Rivers State has exposed the so-called coalition. it is clear they have no control over opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly,” he said.
He explained that if the coalition leaders had any form of influence, the APC government would not have emasculated the required votes for passage of such emergency.
Shekarau recalled that similar coalition attempt happened in 2019, which brought together ten political parties against the APC but eventually collapsed due to a lack of inclusiveness.
“The 2019 ‘coalition’ was formally launched almost a year before the elections at the Yar’Adua Center, yet none of the then-elected PDP leaders was in attendance. No amount of noise-making or informal alliances by individual politicians in the name of opposition will have any impact in elections unless the full leadership structure of opposition parties at all levels is involved,” he warned.
He also dismissed claims that APC’s strategy of wooing more opposition members was responsible for the opposition’s weakness, stating that opposition leaders must take responsibility for strengthening their own political parties.
“The simplistic claim that the APC is poaching and destabilizing opposition parties is, to me, naïve. Why are the so-called ‘big names’ in the opposition unable to resist defection? Why don’t they unite to properly fund and build their parties while mobilizing grassroots support?” he asked.
Although, he maintained that the opposition still has a chance to reorganize itself before the 2027 elections if it genuinely targeting unity and strategic planning.
He concluded, “It is still not too late. I believe that with the right vision, mission, and focus, combined with a genuine sense of purpose, the opposition can change its narrative in 2025 and position itself for success in the 2027 elections”.
