Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribaduhas issued a stern warning to opposition parties, cautioning them against underestimating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Ribadu said President Tinubu’s leadership has ushered in greater national stability and renewed investor confidence, particularly in sectors previously hindered by insecurity.
“Nigeria is safer today than it has been in years. The president has laid solid foundations for sustainable economic and security reforms. The opposition needs to stop recycling outdated narratives and acknowledge progress,” Ribadu said.
The NSA’s remarks appear to be a direct response to recent political moves by opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who are reportedly spearheading a new coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform. The alliance, already drawing attention nationwide, is said to be positioning itself as a formidable alternative in 2027.
But Ribadu dismissed the development as an act of desperation, describing it as a gathering of “expired politicians seeking relevance.”
“We are not concerned about recycled politicians. The people are with this government, and we are focused on delivering results, not distractions,” he added.
Internal Rumbles in APC?
Despite Ribadu’s confident tone, political insiders say all may not be well within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Sources suggest that some APC governors and lawmakers are covertly supporting the new opposition coalition, a move that could expose internal cracks in Tinubu’s support base.
These rumblings within the party, coupled with growing grassroots dissatisfaction over economic hardship and subsidy reforms, have raised questions about Tinubu’s electoral prospects—especially in the north and middle-belt regions.
Opposition Pushes Back
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Ribadu’s comments as dismissive and undemocratic. In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, the PDP said:
“The 2027 elections will not be decided by propaganda or empty confidence. The people will judge this administration by its record, and so far, the results are disappointing.”
As the nation inches closer to the 2027 polls, the political atmosphere is heating up. While the APC maintains that Tinubu remains the candidate to beat, the evolving coalition among opposition figures suggests that Nigeria’s next general election may be one of the most competitive in recent history.
