As the race toward the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, Nigeria’s major opposition parties appear to be in deep crisis.
This is marked by internal leadership battles, parallel structures, and the emergence of factional presidential candidates.
The most glaring example is the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has become the poster child of opposition disunity.
A day after a direct presidential primary held on May 25, 2026 — where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recorded massive leads in several states against Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen — a rival faction of the party held a separate convention and anointed businessman Dumebi Kachikwu as its presidential candidate for 2027.
This development has further deepened the leadership crisis in the ADC, with two parallel groups now laying claim to the party’s soul.
While one faction, recognised by some stakeholders, conducted ward-level direct primaries, the other has rejected the process and installed Kachikwu, who was the party’s candidate in the 2023 election.
Analysts say the ADC’s troubles mirror the broader challenges facing the opposition. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grapple with lingering factional leadership disputes, while the Labour Party (LP) and others have also witnessed significant defections and internal wranglings.
Efforts to forge a united front, including the much-publicised “Ibadan Declaration” where several opposition parties resolved to field a single presidential candidate, now look increasingly fragile.
What was intended as a formidable coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is fast disintegrating into multiple splinter groups, each producing its own flag bearer.
Political observers warn that this fragmentation could hand President Bola Tinubu and the APC a smoother path to re-election, as a divided opposition risks wasting votes and failing to present a credible alternative.
As collation continues in the ADC primary and other parties prepare for their own conventions, the big question remains: Can Nigeria’s opposition overcome its self-inflicted wonds and present a united challenge in 2027, or will internal greed and power struggles once again doom their chances ?
Further updates are expected as the various factions head to the courts or INEC for resolution of their legitimacy crises. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the opposition can salvage any semblance of unity or if the 2027 battle will be a walkover for the ruling party.
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