By Headlinenews.News Political Analysis Desk
July 3, 2025 | Abuja
A Coalition or a Con?
As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, political realignments are intensifying, with several old-guard politicians reportedly working behind the scenes to forge a new “grand opposition coalition.” But not everyone is impressed. In a sharp rebuke that has sparked national debate, African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dr. Mani Kachikwu declared that members of the emerging coalition are “enemies of Nigeria” and will take the country backward if ever allowed to seize power again.
Kachikwu’s remarks, made during a media interaction in Abuja, signal a deepening rift not only within opposition circles but also across a growing spectrum of civic actors and youth-led movements that view many coalition figures as symbols of Nigeria’s political decay.
Who Are the Coalition Members? A History of Controversy
Although no official list has been released, sources suggest the coalition includes former powerbrokers such as:
- Atiku Abubakar (78) – Ex-Vice President and serial presidential aspirant
- Tom Ikimi (81) – Ex-Foreign Minister under Abacha
- David Mark (77) – Former Senate President
- Sule Lamido (76) – Former Foreign Minister and ex-Governor of Jigawa
While these men boast decades of political experience, critics argue that they also represent Nigeria’s most unproductive eras, marked by:
- Rampant corruption scandals (e.g., Siemens, Halliburton, privatization mismanagement)
- Underinvestment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare
- A governance culture that prioritized patronage over public service
“The coalition they are trying to sell is a recycled machine for elite preservation—not national progress,” said Dr. Kachikwu.
“They had their chance and failed spectacularly. Now they’re regrouping not for Nigeria’s future, but for their own survival.”
A Legacy of Failure? Evaluating the Track Record
Between 1999 and 2015—when many of these political actors held power—Nigeria recorded:
- Over $400 billion in oil revenue with minimal impact on poverty alleviation
- Electricity generation stuck below 5,000MW, despite multiple reforms
- Nigeria ranked 144th–154th on the Transparency International Corruption Index
- ASUU strikes lasting over 36 cumulative months due to failed education funding agreements
- Healthcare system collapse, prompting over $1 billion in annual medical tourism
In contrast, President Bola Tinubu’s administration, though grappling with inflation and subsidy reform backlash, has initiated:
- Food security breakthroughs (e.g., historic bean harvests, Eden Project etc)
- Maritime reform and blue economy restructuring
- National Tax Reform Committee to harmonize collections
- Digital economic reforms and investor engagement
Public Sentiment: Recycled Politicians or Resurrected Threats?
The ADC’s positioning reflects growing frustration among young Nigerians, who see the coalition’s return as an attempt to hijack a generational opportunity for national reset. With youth making up over 70% of the population and 65 million eligible voters by 2027, public mood is shifting toward competence, innovation, and accountability.
“We will not allow Nigeria to be ruled again by the same hands that drained it,” said Chioma Okoye, a youth activist in Enugu.
“The coalition is not a rescue mission. It’s a retreat to the same room where our future was mortgaged.”
Can the ADC Be the Real Third Force?
Ironically, the ADC itself has faced internal turbulence over leadership imposition and structural disputes. However, Kachikwu’s statement seems to signal a reassertion of ideological clarity, rejecting opportunistic alliances and reviving the party’s core philosophy of youth-driven, people-powered, inclusive democracy.
Political analyst Prof. Dauda Iliyasu noted:
“If the ADC distances itself from the political oligarchs of the past and stands for meritocracy, it may yet rise as the true third force Nigerians hoped for in 2023.”
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
Dr. Kachikwu’s remarks, while blunt, reflect a sentiment shared by millions: Nigeria must not go back. The future cannot be forged by the same forces that failed to protect the past. As opposition parties rally to form coalitions, Nigerians must ask:
Are these coalitions about the people or about preserving elite influence?
The 2027 elections will not just be about parties or personalities—it will be a referendum on whether Nigerians choose reinvention or regression.
Quote Highlights
“You cannot move Nigeria forward by returning to the same leaders who reversed its progress.”
— Dr. Mani Kachikwu, ADC Chieftain
“Coalitions without conscience are coalitions without credibility.”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Governance Strategist
“History will repeat itself only if we re-elect the same authors of its failures.”
— Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General
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By Dr. Imran Khazaly, Senior Political Correspondent
