Opposition mega party struggles over leadership disputes

DDM News

Fresh crises are unfolding in the coalition of opposition forces planning to form a mega party against the ruling APC.

Investigations by Diaspora digital media (DDM) reveal that internal disagreements and strategic miscalculations are slowing down the coalition’s progress.

The coalition was expected to unveil its operational framework, manifesto, and official identity by the end of February 2025.

However, sources confirm that fundamental structural issues remain unresolved, causing delays in the coalition’s formal launch.

Leaders of the coalition prioritized gathering influential politicians instead of establishing a clear strategy before announcing their alliance.

This decision has left many stakeholders frustrated over the lack of clarity regarding leadership and decision-making processes.

Unlike the formation of the APC in 2014, this coalition lacks a clear roadmap for selecting a presidential candidate.

A major shortcoming is the absence of an agreed-upon leader who would serve as the party’s central rallying figure.

Instead of addressing leadership concerns early, coalition leaders plan to settle the matter during the primaries.

Many party members believe that delaying leadership decisions could destabilize the coalition before it fully takes shape.

A source familiar with the process compared the situation to “leaving fire on the rooftop of a house.”

During the 2014 APC merger, party leaders had already agreed that Muhammadu Buhari would be the presidential candidate.

At least 70 percent of the coalition’s leaders backed Buhari, ensuring a smooth primary election process.

Although other aspirants contested, most party members knew the primaries would ultimately favor Buhari’s candidacy.

This prior understanding helped prevent conflicts and ensured unity within the coalition ahead of the 2015 elections.

In contrast, the current opposition movement has failed to establish a similar level of agreement among its members.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), which is spearheading the coalition, insists that leadership decisions should be postponed.

Stakeholders argue that avoiding the leadership issue weakens the coalition’s foundation and increases internal divisions.

Several insiders believe that political alliances succeed only when a clear leader emerges early in the process.

Without a defined presidential candidate, the coalition lacks a unifying figure to rally support nationwide.

One major setback for the coalition is its failure to secure the involvement of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Saraki played a crucial role in strengthening the APC before the 2015 elections through his political network and influence.

As a key figure in the business community, he helped the APC gain broad support across various sectors.

During the 2014 alliance talks, Saraki led the nPDP faction and reassured members about the coalition’s stability.

Despite internal concerns, he publicly stated that he would not contest the presidency, easing tensions within the APC.

His strategic leadership helped the APC maintain unity and focus on winning the 2015 elections.

This time, however, Saraki has distanced himself from the opposition coalition and adopted a “siddon look” approach.

Reports suggest that Saraki prefers a coalition centered around the PDP rather than an entirely new opposition structure.

Former Senate President David Mark has also chosen to remain on the sidelines as events unfold.

The coalition’s failure to win over Saraki and other key figures is seen as a significant disadvantage.

Many political analysts believe Saraki’s leadership and mobilization skills could have strengthened the opposition movement.

His absence leaves the coalition without a strong political strategist capable of securing broad support.

Another major concern is the growing number of presidential aspirants linked to the coalition.

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Adewole Adebayo are all being considered as potential candidates.

The presence of multiple contenders without a clear selection process is creating tension within the coalition.

Some leaders fear that the competition among these aspirants could lead to further divisions.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has not announced his presidential ambitions but is closely linked to the coalition.

Sources suggest that El-Rufai may be positioning himself to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

His involvement adds another layer of uncertainty to the coalition’s leadership structure.

Without a clear presidential candidate, many stakeholders are hesitant to fully commit to the coalition.

Political observers warn that unresolved leadership disputes could weaken the opposition before the next elections.

The coalition must urgently address its internal challenges to present a strong alternative to the ruling APC.

Unless the leadership issue is settled, the mega party risks collapsing before it formally launches.

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