A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and former lawmaker, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has dismissed the possibility of any opposition coalition unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, describing such efforts as a “failed project.”
In a statement issued to journalists on Sunday, Oyintiloye, who also served as a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, said the alliance being pursued by some opposition leaders was motivated by self-interest and political desperation, not national interest.
“Over the last seventy years, the Nigerian political landscape has witnessed numerous attempts at coalition-building, often driven by a desire to consolidate power and challenge dominant parties,” Oyintiloye said.
“However, history has consistently shown that these coalitions rarely succeed.”
He maintained that for any alliance to thrive in Nigeria, it must go beyond a mere shared opposition to the ruling party. “Forming a successful alliance in Nigeria requires more than just shared opposition,” he noted.
“It demands unity, strategic compromise, and long-term cohesion. The motives must be altruistic, not parochial or selfish. It must embrace the management of peace and conflict, which are very paramount and essential.”
Oyintiloye took a swipe at political figures reportedly involved in the proposed coalition, including former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, as well as former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
“Critically looking at the ongoing coalition against the president, those involved are only interested in using the platform to revive their failing political careers,” he stated.
“Their intent is driven by greed, hatred for the president, and desperation to clinch power by all means. They are now running from pillar to post.”
He further claimed that many of the same figures criticizing President Tinubu would be singing a different tune if they had been offered roles in the administration.
“If the present administration had engaged and patronised some of these personalities with juicy appointments, they would be on the front line singing and praising the same government they are castigating now,” he argued.
“But the truth is that Tinubu is the master of the game, so they will fail as usual.”
Referencing the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, Oyintiloye emphasized that Tinubu’s victory came despite internal and external opposition and the absence of incumbency advantage.
“Prelude to the 2023 general elections, forces within and outside were against the Tinubu election. Despite the fact he was not in power, he still won,” he recalled.
“Now that the same Tinubu is in power, reviving the economy, how do opposition leaders think their coalition can unseat him?”
Oyintiloye urged opposition leaders, especially those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to redirect their energy towards supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda instead of trying to undermine it.
“The achievements recorded under Tinubu in the past two years across various sectors should convince the opposition that their plans are futile,” he said.
He concluded by calling on the president to remain focused on economic and infrastructure reforms, which, he said, were already restoring public confidence.
“Mr. President should remain focused and continue to deliver on his mandate,” Oyintiloye said. “The people are watching, and the results are speaking.”
