A former governorship candidate in Ondo State, Dr. Abass Mimiko, has unveiled a political coalition called the 'One Love Coalition' to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. The coalition aims to draw members from across political parties, ethnic groups, and social classes who believe the Tinubu administration is steering the country in the right direction. Mimiko disclosed this during an interview with members of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ondo State.
The 'One Love Coalition' is not an APC structure, but a platform for Nigerians who want to support Tinubu without joining the ruling party. Mimiko explained that the initiative is about mobilizing nationwide support for the president's re-election bid. He emphasized that the coalition's goal is to promote a Nigeria where there will be freedom and unity, rather than one that splinters. The coalition will embark on a grassroots campaign to educate Nigerians about the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Mimiko, the younger brother of former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, said his support for Tinubu is not motivated by the prospect of political appointment or access to campaign funds. He stressed that if he wanted a political appointment, he would have joined the APC. Mimiko's support for Tinubu is based on his belief that the president's administration has achieved notable successes in education, infrastructure, and other sectors.
The coalition will engage students, market women, and people from all walks of life in its campaign. Mimiko warned that beneficiaries of federal programs, such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), should not assume that such programs will automatically continue under future administrations. He urged Nigerians to demand greater transparency from state governors over the trillions of naira allocated to states.
Mimiko challenged Nigerians to insist on meaningful improvements in their lives rather than directing every complaint about poor living conditions at the federal government. He believes that state governors should be held accountable for how they use allocated funds. Mimiko emphasized that it is not the president's responsibility to dictate how states use their allocations.
On electoral reform, Mimiko called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redesign the arrangement of polling booths to make voting more private and prevent vote-buying. He lamented that vote-selling has weakened the ability of citizens to hold political office holders accountable. Mimiko urged Nigerians to reject the mentality of trading their votes for immediate financial gratification.
The 'One Love Coalition' aims to lead a media campaign, street to street, and door to door, to mobilize support for Tinubu's re-election bid. Mimiko's initiative has sparked interest among Nigerians, with many eager to see how the coalition will shape the country's political landscape in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
Key points
- Dr. Abass Mimiko launches 'One Love Coalition' to support President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid
- The coalition aims to mobilize nationwide support from across political parties, ethnic groups, and social classes
- Mimiko urges Nigerians to demand greater transparency from state governors over allocated funds
