As political parties conclude their primaries this week, opposition parties appear to be facing turbulent times, with their ambition of unseating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections increasingly clouded by internal divisions and factional disputes.
Most of the major opposition parties, with the exception of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Accord, are fielding multiple presidential candidates, a development that underscores the deepening cracks within their ranks.
The NDC has former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, as its sole presidential aspirant and has scheduled its primaries for May 29.
Accord, on its part, has former presidential candidate and businessman, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, as its sole presidential hopeful.
Factional disputes deepen
Several parties are currently grappling with internal factional struggles, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The SDP, for instance, has produced two parallel presidential candidates: Prince Adewolu Adebayo from the Prof. Sadiq Gombe-led National Working Committee (NWC) and Abimbola Atanda from the Shehu Gabam faction.
In the ADC, a faction loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, on Sunday announced Kachikwu as its 2027 presidential flagbearer. However, the Senator David Mark-led faction of the ADC, which is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), held its primaries yesterday to select a candidate from three aspirants — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayattu-Deen.
The outcome of the nationwide primaries was not yet available at the time of filing this report. However, party leaders said the primaries committee, chaired by the 2023 APC governorship candidate in Abia State and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Chief Ikechi Emenike, is expected to collate and announce results today.
The main opposition PDP is also experiencing similar internal tensions. While the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee has announced former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant and fixed its primaries for May 28, a rival Wike-backed faction has Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential aspirant.
Also in the mix is Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is reportedly pursuing a joint platform involving the PDP and the Alliance Peoples Movement (APM). Makinde aligns with the Turaki-led faction.
