Tensions Rise As Opposition Gains Strength ,Tinubu Allies Fire Back

In the growing race toward the 2027 elections, a fierce political storm is brewing across Nigeria.

Key figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and top security officials are raising alarms over what they call a coordinated opposition effort to unseat President Bola Tinubu. At the heart of the clash is a rising coalition of rival parties rallying under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has continued to attract dissatisfied politicians from across party lines.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu issued a strong warning this week to critics of the Tinubu administration, saying the opposition is misjudging the president’s influence and leadership. Speaking at the National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja, Ribadu painted a picture of a more secure and stable Nigeria, arguing that reforms under Tinubu are driving growth and attracting investors. He credited improvements in national safety to coordinated security policies and new technologies, noting changes in the South-East and the Niger Delta.

At the same time, Ribadu dismissed opposition leaders as relics of a past that no longer resonates with Nigerians. He accused them of clinging to outdated politics, warning that any attempt to underestimate Tinubu would backfire. His message was also aimed at international investors, urging them to view Nigeria as a rising digital and economic hub.

The statements came amid accusations from the ADC that the presidency is fabricating plots of a coup to justify crackdowns on dissent. The party described recent claims by Tinubu’s aide Bayo Onanuga as an effort to silence the opposition and create fear ahead of the elections. The ADC said its goals are rooted in peaceful, democratic change, not in destabilizing the government. The coalition insists that its strategy is to offer a better alternative, not chaos.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, added fuel to the political fire during a TV interview, where he claimed that several APC governors and influential party members are quietly backing the opposition alliance. Lawal, who recently left the APC, said he had long worked against the party from within. According to him, the ruling party is plagued by internal conflict, intolerance, and fear of criticism.

He argued that many of those who once supported Tinubu are now seeking a way out, feeling betrayed by the government’s direction. Lawal described the opposition coalition as a collective force drawn from across political lines, including supporters of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi. He said these leaders recognize that no single candidate can defeat an incumbent president alone, so they are working together to present a united front.

As more voices speak out, Labour Party Senator Ireti Kingibe declared her support for the ADC while remaining technically within the LP. She criticized her party’s internal crisis, calling it too weak and fractured to win elections. Kingibe confirmed that the opposition will use the ADC platform for the coming local government elections in the FCT, describing it as the only credible route to victory.

Despite the shifting alliances, some political leaders are refusing to jump ship. Senator Abba Moro, the Minority Leader in the Senate, publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a video address, Moro said he had been with the PDP since its formation in 1998 and has no plans to join any coalition. He warned against politics driven by frustration and called for more serious leadership focused on national development.

In Ondo State, the PDP is also trying to steady its ship. Leaders of the party disowned former governorship candidates who recently defected to the ADC, insisting the party remains united and strong across all its structures. They said the PDP is not part of any coalition talks and advised members to stay focused on rebuilding the party from within.

Responding to claims that the PDP is fading, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, argued that the party is quietly reorganizing and preparing for a major comeback. He dismissed the idea that emerging coalitions could replace the PDP, saying its deep-rooted presence in Nigeria’s political history gives it a strong advantage.

The political battlefield ahead of 2027 is growing more intense. As alliances shift and old loyalties fade, both the ruling party and the opposition are bracing for what may become one of the most contested elections in Nigeria’s recent history. While Tinubu’s supporters call for unity and discipline, his critics are rallying around a shared goal — removing the APC from power and rewriting the country’s future.