Salisu Tanko Yakasai, a former Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate for governor of Kano in the 2023 elections, has issued a warning that the growing rift within Nigeria’s opposition could replicate the circumstances that resulted in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in 2023. In response to Peter Obi and Musa Kwankwaso’s alliance with the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakasai stated that the creation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the NDC will split votes and eventually help the ruling party in the general election of 2027. Yakasai explained the gift in a post on X, claiming that although many Nigerians had wished for an opposition front, a single coalition might have encountered political and legal obstacles that prevented it from being on the ballot.
He contended that the presence of two opposition platforms may make it more difficult to ignore them, compelling the government to either permit both parties to take part or face criticism over Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
He feels that it is more possible that both the ADC and NDC will run for president, creating a divided opposition that would benefit Tinubu.
In such situation, I think it’s more possible that Tinubu will permit both the ADC and the NDC to run, leaving the opposition split going into 2027. If that occurs, we might witness a recurrence of the 2023 pattern at the presidential level (as this will undoubtedly benefit Tinubu), while the ADC and NDC achieve notable victories in National Assembly contests, especially in the North and East,” he added.
In spite of the disagreement, Yakasai reiterated his commitment to the ADC and called on all sides to ease tensions and stay receptive to future collaboration.
He noted that cooperation might still be required before the 2027 elections, saying, “Politics has a way of bringing unlikely partners back to the table.”
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