Opposition Coalition Lacks Political Structure To Compete With APC

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the former Governor of Kano State and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), has dismissed the latest opposition coalition, claiming it lacks the structural framework needed to pose a significant challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

In a statement released on Friday, Shekarau described the coalition as an informal gathering of political aspirants rather than a well-coordinated merger with substantial backing from major opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

“The alliance of certain opposition members appears promising at first glance. However, this so-called coalition does not have the endorsement of PDP or LP leadership,” Shekarau remarked.

He further stated that the coalition is primarily driven by individual political figures rather than established party structures, which significantly diminishes its ability to challenge APC’s dominance.

Comparison with APC’s 2013 Merger

Shekarau compared the current coalition’s efforts to the successful merger in 2013 that led to the formation of the APC. He emphasized that unlike this new coalition, the APC was formed by merging four officially registered parties—the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“The APC was not just a spontaneous formation. It was a well-structured political merger involving parties with elected governors, legislative members, and solid grassroots support,” Shekarau explained.

Weak Influence in the National Assembly

Shekarau also highlighted the passage of the controversial State of Emergency law for Rivers State as evidence of the coalition’s lack of influence over opposition lawmakers.

“The National Assembly’s approval of the ‘State of Emergency’ in Rivers State on March 20, 2025, exposed the coalition’s inability to control opposition legislators. If they had real political influence, the APC wouldn’t have secured the required votes,” he argued.

Lessons from the 2019 Coalition Failure

Citing history, Shekarau recalled the failed opposition alliance of 2019, which saw ten political parties unite against the APC but collapse due to a lack of inclusivity and strategic planning.

“The 2019 coalition was launched at the Yar’Adua Center nearly a year before the elections, yet no PDP leaders attended. Without the full engagement of opposition party structures, no amount of informal alliances will make an electoral impact,” he cautioned.

Opposition’s Internal Weaknesses

Shekarau dismissed the notion that APC’s strategy of absorbing opposition members is solely responsible for weakening the opposition. He argued that internal party mismanagement plays a significant role.

“It is naive to blame APC’s recruitment of opposition members as the main reason for opposition weakness. If opposition leaders were committed, they would work on strengthening their parties, securing funding, and mobilizing grassroots support instead of defecting,” he stated.

A Call for Genuine Opposition Strategy

Despite his criticisms, Shekarau maintained that the opposition still has an opportunity to reorganize and compete effectively in the 2027 elections if they prioritize unity and strategic planning.

“It’s not too late. If the opposition embraces a clear vision, strong leadership, and a unified front, they can still position themselves for success in 2027,” he concluded.