The opposition strategy for 2027 is now at a crossroads. Former APC Vice Chairman Mallam Salihu Lukman says the only way to defeat President Tinubu is for all opposition forces to unite behind whoever wins the ADC presidential primary, including Peter Obi.
He says if Peter Obi wins the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, the entire coalition must rally behind him.
Lukman gave this charge during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
He warned that a divided opposition would only hand victory back to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling APC.
“If we go into the 2027 elections with more than one opposition candidate, it’s the same as giving APC and President Asiwaju another term on a platter,” he said. “Unity is the only path to rescue Nigeria.”
The former APC chieftain stressed that all aspirants, including Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, must be willing to contest in open primaries under the ADC umbrella.
According to him, the party and its growing coalition will support whoever emerges, regardless of name or previous affiliation.
“If Peter Obi emerges, we’ll support him. If it’s Atiku, we’ll support him too. The key is uniting to defeat Tinubu’s failed government,” Lukman declared.
Moreover, he made a passionate appeal to members of the Obidient movement and other youth-led political groups to see ADC and its coalition as a welcoming political home.
He said the party is open to all Nigerians tired of APC and PDP dominance.
“I appeal to the Obidients and other groups this coalition is your home. Let’s join hands and build something powerful,” he said.
Lukman emphasized that this unity effort is not about asking anyone to step down. Instead, it is about creating a fair and competitive platform that reflects Nigeria’s democratic future.
He said the ADC would conduct transparent primaries and allow all serious aspirants to slug it out. Therefore, what matters is that the opposition speaks with one voice when the time comes.
Lukman emphasized that the opposition strategy for 2027 must go beyond alliances and focus on real grassroots mobilization.
Meanwhile, as inflation soars and discontent rises under Tinubu’s administration, the call for a united opposition is gaining traction.
Many Nigerians see the 2027 elections as a make-or-break moment for the country’s democratic survival.
Furthermore, Lukman believes that with one strong candidate and a committed base, Tinubu can be defeated at the ballot box.
“This is the debate we want in ADC,” he said. “We want Nigerians to be frank, honest, and focused on rescuing this country.”
