2027: Opposition must strategise or remain powerless – Sule Lamido

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has urged members of the opposition coalition to adopt a more strategic and focused approach if they hope to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential poll. Lamido, who spoke on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and […]

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has urged members of the opposition coalition to adopt a more strategic and focused approach if they hope to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential poll.

Lamido, who spoke on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition elements against rushing into the political arena without building strong internal structures and alliances.

Daily Trust reports that members of the opposition coalition recently adopted the ADC as their platform aimed at challenging and defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

The coalition members comprises former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal; former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun; former governors of Rivers and Kaduna States – Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai,.and many other bigwigs. 

Lamido said, “The coalition should be able to look at the issues and you need people who are calm, cool-headed and focused. Apparently, there are so many sprinters in ADC. They should be circumspect in the way they run.

“Let them look inward and keep connecting with people quietly, so that by the time they come out in full force, the energy will be there.”

He warned that without depth and proper organisation, the opposition risks remaining ineffective in challenging what he described as “cancer called APC.”

Speaking on the appointment of Nyesom Wike, who is of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the FCT Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is of the APC, Lamido claimed that the president wants Wike to help him secure control of the South-South region.

“The appointment of Wike was to make sure Tinubu secures the South-South,” he said.

He argued that with Tinubu reportedly gaining footholds in Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta states, Wike’s influence in Rivers is part of a short-term calculation.

“So far, maybe by Tinubu’s personal manipulation or coercion, he has been able to win over Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta states. Wike already has Rivers State.

“By the time Tinubu is able to secure the South-South in his own basket, Wike will become irrelevant, and he will remove him,” Lamido said.

“He appointed Wike for a purpose, gave him an office for a purpose; by the time the purpose is no more, that’s the end of it,” Lamido added.