Can the alliance succeed?
“With the three of them seen as leaders in their own rights, the question is; who is the leader? The main reason they are forming a coalition is that they recognise the need to unite to effectively challenge the APC,” said political analyst, Dr Aminu Hayatu. However, he noted that while the coalition may not […]
“With the three of them seen as leaders in their own rights, the question is; who is the leader? The main reason they are forming a coalition is that they recognise the need to unite to effectively challenge the APC,” said political analyst, Dr Aminu Hayatu.
However, he noted that while the coalition may not necessarily change government policies, “the opposition’s presence might deter certain government actions due to fear of criticism.”
Dr Hayatu further pointed out that power-sharing within the coalition could be a major hurdle.
“If they remain in their respective parties while working together for elections, how will they decide on candidacy? Each of these leaders has presidential ambitions. Who will step aside for the other? Will they distribute positions in advance, or will they repeat the 2023 scenario where none was willing to step down?” he asked.
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But Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, believes opposition leaders do not necessarily need to control a political party to succeed.
He, however, admitted that the coalition is “faced with great odds because they are dealing with a president who is in full control of the major opposition parties.
“But the secret to success is twofold. First, they need to respond to the aspirations and needs of the people in the choice of a presidential candidate, not to impose themselves. Two, they need to begin to quickly respond and mobilise Nigerians on a showdown with the ruling party and its supporting opposition parties,” he said.