Chief Ralph Nwosu, the founder and pioneer National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on Nigeria's opposition parties to put aside their differences and unite to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. According to Nwosu, the opposition still has a chance to rescue Nigeria from the current administration. He made this statement in an interview with Chibuike Chukwu.
Nwosu's comments come on the heels of a recent plan by a group led by Pat Utomi to hold a closed-door meeting with opposition presidential candidates to form a possible coalition. However, some have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such a coalition, citing past attempts that have failed. Nwosu acknowledged that previous efforts to build a coalition had been disrupted, but believes that it is still possible for the opposition to come together.
The ADC founder noted that in politics, there is no zero-sum game, and that it is possible for individuals to serve in various capacities even if they do not become president. He cited examples of positions such as vice president, senate president, and minister, where individuals can still make a significant impact. Nwosu emphasized that the most important thing is to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
Nwosu also mentioned that an internal poll conducted by the ADC suggests that Atiku, a presidential candidate, has a significant lead with 63% of respondents supporting him. However, he acknowledged that the poll may not be representative of the entire country, particularly in regions such as the North West, where Kwankwaso has a strong following.
Despite the challenges, Nwosu remains optimistic that the opposition can still unite and present a strong challenge to the APC. He praised Pat Utomi's efforts to bring the opposition together, saying that it is commendable, but also noted that it will require hard work to achieve. Nwosu emphasized that the door is still open for negotiations and that the ADC is willing to work with other parties to achieve a common goal.
Some opposition leaders, such as Chekwas Okorie, have expressed doubts about the possibility of a coalition at this late stage, citing the fact that presidential candidates are already on the ballot. However, Nwosu disagrees, arguing that it is still possible for the opposition to support a single candidate, even if they cannot change their tickets now.
Ultimately, Nwosu believes that the opposition's goal should be to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges, and that this can be achieved through collective action. He emphasized that everyone cannot be president, but that there are many other positions in government where individuals can make a difference. The ADC and other opposition parties will need to work together to achieve this goal.
Key points
- The opposition can still unite to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections.
- An internal poll suggests that Atiku has a significant lead with 63% of respondents supporting him.
- The opposition's goal should be to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges through collective action.
