THE COALITION that brought together Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, el-Rufai, and others in 2015 had one primary goal: removing Goodluck Jonathan from power. Development was not the agenda. The opposition’s rallying cry was “anything but Jonathan.”
Many ordinary Nigerians who do not understand the complex nature of politics, believed his removal would usher in a new era of prosperity. Even some church leaders, mostly of Yoruba extraction, actively mobilised their followers to support Jonathan’s ouster.
No alliance, however, has been as regressive as the APC’s rise in 2014. According to David Mark, interim chairman of the ADC, this new coalition aims to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic pillars — not just seize power. Peter Obi echoes this, prioritising national interest over political ambition. The coalition offers a glimmer of hope.
The 2015 coalition was therefore a marriage of convenience, merging disparate political forces. For the first time since independence, Tinubu bridged the Yoruba political divide rooted in Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s era. While many expected the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) faction to retreat to its Yoruba stronghold; as in 1999; Tinubu’s strategy kept them committed. Backing Buhari’s candidacy was a calculated move for his own ambitions.
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Despite Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid in the 2015 APC primary, Tinubu and his allies supported Buhari, believing he would be easier to control due to his lack of a political machine. Ironically, Tinubu and Atiku had a shared history in the PFN/Yar’Adua political group, and Tinubu’s ACN had even nominated Atiku as its presidential candidate in 2007. Tinubu’s endorsement of Buhari was strategic, leveraging Buhari’s grassroots appeal to advance his own interests — seemingly at Nigeria’s expense.
The APC coalition reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape but at a heavy cost. It elevated skilled orators who promised quick fixes. Yet after eight years of Buhari’s administration, the results are clear; as Olu Fasan noted in Business Day (May 28, 2023): “Good riddance, Buhari: You are Nigeria’s worst president, so far!”
President Bola Tinubu’s dismal performance over the past two years has even sparked nostalgia for Buhari. Criticism has mounted from all sides, including from former aide Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who condemned the administration’s failure to improve governance or Nigerians’ quality of life. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) called Tinubu’s two years the worst in Nigeria’s history since 1960. The truth is simple: the APC’s rise in 2015 set Nigeria back a decade.
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Many Nigerians naively expected the APC to address corruption, insecurity, poverty, infrastructure, and social development. Ironically, the party that campaigned on solving insecurity in 2015 has failed to deliver lasting solutions. It has not resolved a single major issue since taking power.
President Tinubu now faces growing discontent over his administration’s anti-people economic policies. Having silenced opposition and eroded civil protest — a tool he once used — Tinubu’s rule risks pushing Nigeria toward a one-party state.
A second term could be catastrophic. Nigerians now seek a credible alternative for 2027: a leader with competence, patriotism, compassion, and creativity to rescue the nation. The recent coalition offers hope for change.
We are certainly not where we want to be as a nation, and as a result, it’s crucial that we shield her from destructive, unpatriotic forces bent on serially raping her.
While some Nigerians welcome the new alliance, others dismiss it as an assembly of “strange bedfellows,” as if expecting ideological uniformity. Yet history proves diverse alliances can succeed, as seen in 2013/2014.
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No alliance, however, has been as regressive as the APC’s rise in 2014. According to David Mark, interim chairman of the ADC, this new coalition aims to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic pillars — not just seize power. Peter Obi echoes this, prioritising national interest over political ambition. The coalition offers a glimmer of hope.
We expect the new opposition to be robust and strong enough to rescue Nigeria from sliding into a one-party state. A situation like Lagos, where one individual and his family dominate political space and decides who gets what is undemocratic. Strong institutions, diverse views, and participation are essential to a healthy democracy.
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The APC’s attempt to consolidate power under President Tinubu’s control poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic future. A strong opposition can help prevent this drift.
We are certainly not where we want to be as a nation, and as a result, it’s crucial that we shield her from destructive, unpatriotic forces bent on serially raping her.
As our democracy continues to evolve, our leaders must prioritise its growth and development. We must nurture this fragile system, allowing it to thrive and mature, rather than letting it be undermined by selfish interests.
This new coalition is a welcome development; it must be nursed to stand bold and solid!
Amechi, a trade unionist and pro-democracy activist, writes from Lagos.
