•Adebayo (SDP), Atiku (ADC), Obi (NDC) and Tinubu (APC)
Following the recent Court of Appeal ruling which nullified the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties, the opposition parties are now expected to settle down to work out modalities on how to confront the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that power changes hand in the 2027 general elections.
It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal’s three-man panel, a few days ago, nullified the Justice Peter Lifu’s Federal High Court, Abuja, ruling asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), reports Daily Independent.
Chief Martin Onovo, a seasoned politician and the 2015 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), one of those who spoke to our correspondent, said that the nation’s opposition parties can defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), if they work in unity.
Onovo, currently the Head, Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), one of the stakeholders who spoke to Sunday Independent, stated that the winning strategy for the opposition is very clear and had been widely discussed and agreed.
Onovo stated: “The rogue ruling party knows that it is very unpopular and easy to defeat democratically. The strategy of the rogue ruling party is very clear.
“It is heavily dependent on suppressing the opposition using several schemes, including; spurious litigations against opposition parties, sponsored factions in opposition parties, deregistration of opposition parties, disenfranchisement of voters, use of thugs for violence, abuse of office by Police authority to harass and constrain opposition party officials, writing and announcement of false results, false propaganda and corruption of the mass media.”
He also listed vote buying, declaration of false results using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, as well as state capture of the legislature and the judiciary.
Onovo stressed: “With this knowledge of the strategy of the ruling party, it is easy to frustrate their undemocratic and criminal schemes.
“However, significant human resources are required to effectively counter their undemocratic and criminal schemes. A united opposition means more resources to robustly counter the undemocratic and criminal schemes of the ruling party.
“Therefore, the unity of the opposition is required to doubly guarantee the success of the opposition in the 2027 elections.
“This position is clear and widely accepted. It was discussed and upheld at the opposition parties summit hosted in Ibadan by HE Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
“That required unity is also being implemented strategically with the Obi/Kwakwanso ticket and other opposition party tickets.
“The opposition is clearly ahead of the ruling party and set for success.”
Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, a Christian activist and the Convener of the Apostolic Round Table (ART), stated that the Appeal Court ruling has given the opposition a fresh opportunity — not merely to contest power, but to earn public trust.
According to him, their winning strategy should be to unite around a common national agenda, rather than individual ambitions, present a credible joint presidential ticket, and offer practical solutions on security, the economy, jobs, education, and governance.
Akinyemi stressed: “They must move beyond criticising the ruling party to demonstrating competence, discipline, and internal democracy.
“By engaging citizens consistently, mobilising young people and women, protecting the integrity of the vote, and running a solutions-driven campaign anchored on hope and accountability, the opposition can transform itself from a protest movement into a credible governing alternative.”
Professor John Ebhomien, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, said that with the Appeal Court clearing the path, the opposition parties now have breathing space to reorganise.
He said that to win in 2027, the opposition needs more than just being “not the ruling party.”
He said that a four-part winning strategy includes unity over ego, adding that fragmentation killed the opposition in 2023.
Ebhomien, a former United Nations Consultant, stated that the opposition should form a broad coalition or at least agree on zoning, candidate selection, and not fielding spoilers against each other, adding that one strong joint platform beats three weak ones.
He also called for an issue-based campaign, saying, “2027 voters will care about cost of living, insecurity, power, jobs, and youth opportunity.
“Opposition must present a clear, costed manifesto with credible messengers — governors, technocrats, and young leaders — not just recycled names.
On grassroots and data, Ebhomien stated: “Winning requires structure in all 774 LGAs. Invest early in polling agents, voter education, and data to track voter apathy and turnout. Protect the vote with legal teams and situation rooms from day one.”
Also, he touched the issue of rebuilding trust, saying that the opposition should address the perception of elite infighting.
“Do town halls, own mistakes, and recruit new faces, especially women and youth to signal renewal. The ruling was a reset, not a guarantee.
“If opposition parties coordinate, speak to real pain points, and run a disciplined ground game, 2027 becomes competitive.”
Tola Oresanwo, an activist, is the Director, Administration and Programmes, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL).
Speaking with our correspondent at the weekend, he said the opposition parties, especially the restored African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the others, should prioritise unity, issue-based mobilisation, and grassroots organisation.
Oresanwo stated: “They should consider forming a broad, credible coalition that pools structures, candidates, and resources rather than fragmenting votes.
“They should also resolve internal leadership disputes quickly to present a single, coherent front and avoid unnecessary litigations.
“Focus campaigns on concrete problems like cost of living, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructure, and governance failures backed by clear-cut alternatives instead of personal attacks.
“They must also invest heavily in voter education, digital outreach, and rural mobilisation while monitoring the electoral process through trained agents and legal readiness.
“They must also build trust by fielding competent, inclusive tickets that reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
“Success in 2027 will depend less on court victories and more on convincing a weary electorate that the opposition offers competent, accountable governance than what is presently obtained.”
Bishop Herbert Ekechukwu, a Christian leader and public affairs commentator, said the victory is a legal boost and it will matter if the victory is converted into votes, structure and trust.
Dr Ekechukwu stated: “People vote on what affects them not just court rulings. To obtain victory at the polls the following need to be done.
“Fix the internal party structure. Most of the opposition parties lack party structure and internal party democracy. They should settle primaries, zoning and leadership tussles.
“National leaders and state leaders should visit aggrieved members, bring them back before others take them.
“Opposition parties should have clear policies on economy, security, cost of living and job creation.
“The opposition parties should carry out a massive voter registration drive, PVC registration and collection, especially targeting the youth.
“Recruit and train party agents for the 176,846 polling units. Elections are won, lost or rigged at the polling units.
“Parties should have ward level data, knowing strongholds, swing areas and weak areas and put more resources in the swing areas.
“The opposition should come together and have an alliance based on issues and strategies. Parties should project on messages that win elections.
“Issue based messages like what you will do in the first 100 days in office on economy, particularly on food production and prices, transport, job creation, SME support, on security, like solutions to insecurity in Nigeria.
“Lastly, a court victory gives you credibility. The 2027 election victory will come from unity; first, internal party unity, and secondly, unity among the opposition parties; early organisation, clear economic messages, polling units structure and protection of votes, making sure that the votes will count and counted correctly.”
