Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed support for the newly formed coalition of opposition leaders under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as a “welcome development” that could safeguard Nigeria from drifting into a one-party system.
Gbajabiamila made the remarks on Saturday during the Local Government Councilorship and Chairmanship elections held in Surulere, Lagos State.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at the Elizabeth Fowler Memorial Primary School polling unit, he said the coalition signaled broader political engagement and underlined the importance of having a strong opposition in Nigeria’s growing democracy.
“This is a healthy development for democracy,” Gbajabiamila said, as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria. “Democracy without opposition is not democracy. There has to be a robust and virile opposition that keeps the government on its toes.”
The Chief of Staff welcomed the decision by prominent opposition leaders to adopt the ADC as their unified platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. He emphasized that the existence of credible alternatives is essential for the deepening of democratic values and good governance.
“People must have options and choices. It is only through such competition that we deepen democratic values and improve governance,” he added.
Despite his support for the idea of a vibrant opposition, Gbajabiamila expressed reservations about the viability and cohesion of the newly formed coalition. “For whatever the coalition is worth, I am not sure where it will go — that is, if it will go anywhere,” he remarked.
The move by opposition parties to unite under the ADC comes in response to widespread concerns about the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which many fear is leading Nigeria toward a one-party state. In recent months, key opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have suffered multiple defections, raising alarms among political observers.
The formation of the ADC-led coalition is seen as an effort to consolidate strength and present a formidable challenge to the APC in the 2027 elections. However, the ruling party and some members of Tinubu’s cabinet have condemned the coalition, alleging that its members aim to undermine the president’s administration.
