The winds of political change appear to be gathering strength across Nigeria’s landscape as we inch closer to the 2027 general elections. With the recent formation of a coalition of opposition parties adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its flagship platform, the nation may be witnessing the beginning of the end for what many now described as the faltering dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition has achieved what many thought impossible just a year ago—the ruling APC has been forced into a defensive stance. From sudden leadership shakeups to desperate rhetoric, the party is clearly rattled. The abrupt removal of its National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, speaks volumes. It is more than a personnel change—it reflects a party in crisis, shaken by internal strife and public disillusionment.
There is a growing call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise above partisan instincts. If he has no intention of seeking re-election in 2027, he owes Nigeria one final act of statesmanship: the conduct of a truly free, fair, and credible election. This could be the redeeming legacy of a presidency often criticized for policy inconsistency and worsening economic hardship. In a country where electoral credibility has often been compromised, such a move could help rebuild public trust in democracy and restore Nigeria’s dignity on the global stage.
It is widely believed that the APC was never designed for governance but as a special purpose vehicle to acquire power. Nearly a decade later, it still seems unable to transition from power grab to purposeful leadership. With each policy reversal, growing insecurity, and unrelenting economic woes, the party’s ideological emptiness becomes more obvious.
Across the country, hunger and hardship have done what decades of civic education could not awaken a politically alert citizenry. Nigerians are no longer passive. They are angry, conscious, and ready to hold power to account not through violence, but through the ballot.
Still, it is not enough to dismantle the old; a credible alternative must emerge. The ideals championed by the emerging opposition—justice, equity, peace, and inclusive development must move from rallying cries to concrete plans. Nigerians are done with empty promises. They want leadership that reflects their struggles, not one that exploits their desperation.
As we approach 2027, the message is clear: the days of unchecked political dominance are over. Power must now be earned not bought, rigged, or stolen. If the opposition coalition can sustain its momentum and demonstrate true commitment to the people, it may well trigger the political reset Nigeria so desperately needs.
What happens next will define our national destiny. The time for performance politics is over. The time for genuine leadership has come.
