- Wike Camp Rejects Ratification, Insists On Rival Candidate
- Obi vows To Crush Insecurity,,Pledges 10,000MW Power Boost
- Why I Cannot Endorse Peter Obi For 2027, Moghalu Explains
The political landscape in Nigeria had an unprecedented makeover on Saturday as several key political developments redefined the struggle for power ahead of the 2027 presidential election, making it look up to one of the most competitive political contests in the nation’s democratic history.
As political manoeuvres, alliances and party rifts unfolded in the day, a party faction of the former President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck Jonathan, endorsed him as its presidential candidate while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) announced an exciting presidential ticket of Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The developments mark a new wave in opposition politics, marked by coalitions, power struggles and a fierce quest for electoral relevance in the lead up to 2027.
But Jonathan’s rise has brought a new chapter to the PDP’s longstanding leadership problems.
The former president was ratified by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction in a special national convention that was held in Abuja. Jonathan was not present but the delegates gave him a voice vote which was done by voice, and they issued a Certificate of Return, which was received on his behalf by the Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi.
The convention itself was a controversial one.
The initial venue in Abuja was reportedly cordoned off by security forces so that organisers had to shift the activity to the secretariat of the faction in Garki.
Speaking at the conclusion of the exercise, Turaki alleged that unnamed political interests sought to thwart democratic processes with intimidation and misuse of state power.
He contended that judicial pronouncements and the PDP constitution supported their actions by the faction.
However, the ratification almost immediately attracted opposition from the other side which was close to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The faction opposed Jonathan’s emergence, insisting that Sandy Onor be the recognised PDP presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The camp, in its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, declared the convention to be unconstitutional and illegitimate.
The conflict has again brought to the fore the rifts that are engulfing the PDP as people oppose the ruling establishment.
The PDP was on a battle within the battle, meanwhile the NDC sought to project strength and strategic unity.
Shortly after getting his party’s presidential ticket, Peter Obi announced former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate, which many observers are saying was one of the most consequential opposition alliances in recent years.
The partnership between Obi-Kwankwaso and two strong and complementary political support bases is very interesting.
Obi is also a favourite among the youths, among towns and cities folks and among the reform-minded Nigerians, while Kwankwaso has an extensive grass roots network throughout Kano and large parts of Northern Nigeria.
The alliance could have a big impact on the election calculus of a handful of battleground states, political analysts say.
In his speech of acceptance, Obi promised that restoring security would be one of the top priorities of his government in the event of his winning the presidency.
He said Nigeria has the resources and institutional mechanisms to combat insecurity if they could have effective leadership and operations that are conducted with intelligence and better coordination between security agencies, adding that this would restore the confidence of the public.
He says the key to any serious economic change in the country is to resolve the security threats facing communities, farmers, business and investors.
As a number of influential national figures took a step back from the shifting political landscape, other opposition forces attempted to reposition themselves for 2027.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has publicly rejected pressure from some of Obi’s supporters for him to endorse his presidential bid.
In a reply to questions on X, Moghalu said he had “definitely pulled out of partisan politics” in November 2022 and that he is unable to come out with an endorsement to any political candidate .
Although he still has the right to vote for his candidate of choice, the ex-presidential hopeful said that his professional duties have left him without the ability to participate in partisan politics.
Moghalu also said that there was no political agenda in his recent meeting with the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, but only governance matters.
The move follows a rising trend from political parties to solicit signatures from prominent technocrats, academics and public intellectuals as the competition for 2027 gets underway.
Combined with the events of Saturday, these are signs of an opposition party that is in a state of rapid change.
On the other hand, the PDP is caught up in a struggle to control and legitimate itself, as a number of factions vie for the future of the party. The other, the NDC seems intent on creating a wide-ranging coalition that can pose a serious threat at the next presidential election.
As alliances form, butts rub and the influential political figures make their decisions, the race for the highest office in Nigeria has started to take new forms. The extent of unity or competition in the opposition’s struggle for relevance remains to be seen as they move towards 2027.
