Opposition split 2027 election Nigeria concerns raised by Salisu Yakasai, who warns ADC and NDC rivalry may benefit President Tinubu
Former Kano State governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Salisu Tanko Yakasai, has warned that growing divisions within Nigeria’s opposition could mirror the political conditions that led to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election.
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Reacting to the political alignment involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakasai said the emergence of two opposition blocs could significantly weaken their chances in 2027.
The opposition split 2027 election Nigeria concern, he explained, stems from the formation of both the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the NDC, which he believes may divide votes at the presidential level and strengthen the ruling party’s position.
In a post shared on X, Yakasai described the development as a “blessing in disguise,” arguing that although a united opposition would have been stronger, it could also have faced legal and structural hurdles that might have prevented it from participating in the election.
He suggested that the existence of two competing opposition platforms may ultimately ensure broader participation, making it difficult for any group to be excluded from the ballot while still reshaping electoral outcomes.
According to him, the most likely scenario is that both the ADC and NDC will contest the 2027 elections, potentially leading to a divided opposition vote that could favour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Yakasai added that while the presidential race may be affected by fragmentation, opposition parties could still perform strongly in legislative elections, particularly in northern and eastern regions of the country.
Despite his concerns, he reaffirmed his support for the ADC and called for reduced political tensions, urging stakeholders to remain open to future cooperation and strategic alliances.
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He concluded that Nigerian politics remains fluid, stressing that unexpected collaborations could still emerge ahead of the 2027 general elections.
