2027: Atiku, Melaye, Fayose Urge Nigerians to Reject Tinubu’s Re-Election Bid

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye and Ekiti State House of Representatives aspirant Emmanuel Fayose have called on Nigerians to reject President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.

They made the call on Thursday during a meeting with ADC leaders and members in Abuja, warning that the country’s economic difficulties could worsen if Tinubu secured a second term.

Atiku, who was represented by his spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, accused the President of exercising excessive influence over the legislature and judiciary, alleging that democratic institutions were being weakened.

Okonkwo criticised the National Assembly for failing to hold the executive accountable, arguing that lawmakers appeared more concerned with the President’s interests than those of ordinary Nigerians.

He said the legislature was expected to provide effective checks on executive power and protect citizens’ interests. He also questioned government spending amid widespread economic hardship and urged lawmakers to scrutinise public expenditure.

The ADC spokesman called on opposition parties to unite and present credible candidates capable of offering effective leadership and delivering democratic dividends.

He also criticised Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips and raised concerns about the administration’s borrowing, arguing that increasing debt obligations were putting additional pressure on public finances.

Okonkwo compared the country’s economic situation to a biblical wilderness, claiming that the removal of the fuel subsidy had increased the hardship faced by Nigerians struggling with hunger and poverty.

He further raised questions about Tinubu’s health and capacity to govern, arguing that the country needed a leader capable of managing its challenges. However, he acknowledged that illness was a human condition that should not be used to stigmatise anyone.

Melaye, in his remarks, criticised Tinubu’s comparison of Nigeria’s economic situation with that of Egypt while defending the government’s position against calls to restore the fuel subsidy.

The former senator argued that Egypt had surpassed Nigeria in several economic indicators, including gross domestic product, per capita income, unemployment and poverty. He maintained that the comparison was misplaced.

Melaye warned that the hardship facing Nigerians could become more severe if Tinubu returned to office in 2027.

He described the current hunger experienced by citizens as only the beginning of potentially worse conditions, urging voters to consider the possible consequences of another APC administration.

The former lawmaker also criticised the National Assembly, accusing it of acting as an extension of the executive rather than functioning as an independent institution.

Drawing on his experience in the House of Representatives and Senate, Melaye said lawmakers needed to reclaim their constitutional responsibility to scrutinise executive actions and protect the interests of citizens.

He urged opposition figures across party lines to work together, arguing that national interests should take precedence over personal ambitions, ethnic considerations and political affiliations.

Melaye specifically appealed to political figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to consider cooperation ahead of the 2027 election. He said Nigeria needed leadership capable of uniting its diverse population.

Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, also alleged that the Tinubu administration was concerned about Atiku’s popularity and political influence.

He said the South-West would play an important role in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election and urged Nigerians to assess candidates based on their records and leadership capacity.

Fayose expressed confidence that Atiku could attract considerable support in the region, while stressing the need for voter education and sensitisation, particularly among young people.