Opposition parties navigate internal rifts, third-force prospects ahead of 2027 polls

Detailed summary

As political activities build toward Nigeria's 2027 elections, internal opposition crises and third-force prospects face intense scrutiny...

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, growing internal crises, leadership disagreements and factional divisions within Nigeria’s major political parties are raising questions about the future of the opposition. Observers are increasingly debating the possibility of a credible third political force challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

​While some political analysts believe the failure of opposition leaders to unite could strengthen the APC’s chances of securing another electoral victory, others argue that divisions within the ruling party itself could create opportunities for emerging political platforms, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

​Speaking exclusively with BusinessDay on whether the crises rocking opposition parties could destroy the third-force movement, Action Democratic Party National Publicity Secretary Sani Dawop dismissed suggestions that internal disagreements would necessarily lead to collapse.

​Dawop described disagreements as a normal feature of democratic organisations, arguing that political parties must develop effective mechanisms for managing differences rather than allowing them to threaten their existence.

​”Whatever any political gathering, association or group, there will always be differences, misunderstanding and conflict because there will be divergent opinions,” he said.

​Ruling party leverages state machinery ​He explained that even the ruling APC experiences internal disagreements and political crises but benefits from its control of government resources and established structures to manage dissent.

​”Even in the ruling party, there are differences and misunderstandings and internal crises, but because they are in government, they are using public resources to patronise people who have divergent views and opinions to go along the lines of those in control of the machinery of government,” Dawop alleged.

​He maintained that opposition parties were still consulting…

​Da…

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