Former presidential candidate Chief Martin Onovo has said that it would be difficult for any single opposition party to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
He made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
Onovo, who contested the 2015 presidential election under the now-defunct National Conscience Party (NCP), emphasized that defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) would require a strong alliance of opposition forces.
According to him, “The only way to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election is a strong alliance of opposition parties against the ruling party.”
He praised the recent efforts by former PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other political leaders to build a coalition to challenge Tinubu, calling it a positive development.
“I was the brain behind the largest coalition ever in the Fourth Republic, which birthed the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and I can tell you that coalition is the only way because a united minority is stronger than a divided majority.
“The coalition will win the 2027 election with 99 percent of the votes if it is not self-sabotaged.
“Take it to the bank; it will not fail; it will succeed and defeat the ruling party convincingly if they do it well.
“If the coalition is not self-sabotaged, it will be difficult for APC to return in 2027,” Onovo, also an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC),” he said.
Speaking on the mid-term performance of the Tinubu administration, Onovo expressed disappointment, particularly in the areas of security and basic service delivery.
He urged President Tinubu to utilize the remaining years of his first term to improve national security and enhance the standard of living for ordinary Nigerians.
Onovo also advised the president to bring more qualified professionals into his administration to effectively implement his policy promises.
“The president needs to be clear about his objectives; he should be all out to better the welfare and security of ordinary Nigerians in the city and remotest areas.
“We need competent people in positions, not loyalists. Let us get the right people, right strategies, and ethical environment while the president provides leadership and takes responsibility.
“We need the right commanders with strategies in security and economy to end insecurity and suffering. We must not sacrifice performance for loyalty,” Onovo said.
He further called on Tinubu to intensify efforts in fighting corruption and reducing income inequality, which he identified as major drivers of insecurity and social unrest.
(NAN)
