Who leads opposition for 2027? By Deyemi Saka

As 2027 political dispensation beckons on us, the most important question begging for answer is; “Who should lead the opposition into 2027?

I must commend someone who I call my Oga. He is no other person than Otunba Segun Showunmi. He is one man who has been consistent about his political views, activities, and ideology for a very long while. He has demonstrated his resolve and capacity with the launch and promotion of The Alternative, a movement which is redefining political opposition in Nigeria.

The many narratives coming from him and his movement says a lot about him. It is not about power grabbing, or tearing the government or the country down, it is about promoting good governance and ensuring Nigerians get a fair deal in the continuous experimentation of multiparty representative democracy.

We compare notes when we need to, and he knows my stance on what opposition should look like for 2027, and probably beyond.

I’ve expressed my bias and sympathy for the People’s Democratic Party and who I believe should fly the party’s flag for 2027, it remains an issue we are yet to find a common ground. Moreover, such consideration for the opposition figure looks bleak each passing day.

So that got me thinking…. Who leads opposition for 2027?

I must say this that the idea of a northerner leading the opposition for 2027 and the many activities and conversations should be killed. It is very hypocritical and quite silly.

How do you explain how a region which kept quite in and for 8years in the face of gross ineptitude and monumental disaster of Muhammadu Buhari ‘s presidency has now found a voice and can define good governance and competence?

The activities of northern political elites has revealed a pattern and I’m bold to inform them that they’ve been found out. The obsession to be in power and hang around corridor of power under the guise of demand for good governance is falling flat on its face.

Without being a rocket scientist, this has gained President Bola Ahmed Tinubu more sympathy among Nigerians of the southern region and increased acceptability from North Central geopolitical zone.

In my opinion, while I acknowledge his remarkable feat at the last political dispensation, Peter Obi of the Labour Party should not lead the opposition for 2027.

While his many followers are of delusional optimism, Peter Obi is lacking in the knowledge and character to be the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Above all, he is self serving with his diefication of himself. His knowledge-gap on critical issues like climate change, combating insecurity and deliberate political naivety to not want to be a party man is hilariously suicidal. How can he go to Anambra is 2023 and tell the people to vote for competence and not party. Please what such of absurdity is that? There is no room for Independent candidacy in our political structure, so trying to isolate himself as the only good thing is not cutting it for me and for any serious-minded political conscious Nigerian.

This post is not about him, and let get to my point(s).

Whether we like it or not, our political activities and considerations are always along ethnic and religious lines, and this is one issue which should be explored and explioted by opposition. The Muslim-Muslim Presidency is still considered an affront on the sensibilities of many Nigerians, and the state of affairs of the country has rubbished whatever argument they want to put forward as justification to sustain it.

In line with what has driven and formed opposition activities since 1999, sadly, this will not be any different. We’ve witnessed political enemies become allies just because they have a common interest of ousting the present government out of office. That is why I believe the first person qualified to lead the opposition towards and the next election is Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

This is one man I have criticised publicly and named the Coordinating Minister for the Ministry of Condolence, Consolatory, Sympathetic and Market Visitation and Death Matters, so I will not be surprised if many are surprised I’m electing him to lead the opposition.

My reasons are not far-fetched. He has his ways with words, he is very patronising and the Northern bloc can trust him to run and become a single term President. He has demonstrated such immense loyalty to his former Boss in and out of office as the latter did not reward the said and obvious loyalty by not endorsing his presidential ambition. A move which would have stopped President Tinubu’s ambition.

I believe if he is put forward, the many missteps and misadventures will not happen again as the approach will be different as negotiations, promotion, consultations, and politicking will be robust, and not myopic like that of 2023.

I expect a massive change in his team which is so lacking in deep thinking and filled with “I no gree mentality” .

I will cite you an instance . You wanted to be the president of Nigeria, you wanted to intimate IBB(Gen. Babangida) of such intentions, you sent a delegation led by a faceless and relatively unknown person. You never visited TY. Danjuma and others. You campaigners saw these men as enemies of Nigeria and your Boss. I hope serious minded persons will lead his team. A quick recommendation is former SGF, Boss Mustapha, Senator Ndume, or Sule Lamido. Obviously, I’m not expecting him to imagine he will get the ticket of the APC, but the ticket of the coalition of opposition.

The second person is Rotimi Ameachi. This is one man who over the years have demonstrated he has the strength of character, smartness, and also loyalty to be trusted with the idea of leading the move to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His outing at the last APC primaries demonstrates how much of a structure he built and can always rely on.

He is bold and fearless, and can churn out the much-needed narratives to drive opposition to victory. He has done it before, and surely, it is not out of place to believe he will do such again.

He is also one man who can tame Wike and inspire opposition to do great things.

I’m not God, but I believe this suggestions of mine will shape things as we greatly desire if given massive consideration.

Deyemi Saka