As political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, former presidential aide Laolu Akande believes the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) possesses a superior structural readiness compared to the opposition.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Thursday, Akande critiqued the current state of opposition parties, describing them as disorganised and lacking a clear political identity, despite the APC’s own internal challenges.
“I think APC has better arrangements,” Akande stated during the programme.
He argued that the opposition has allowed a dominant narrative to take hold, one seemingly fixated on ousting President Bola Tinubu without offering credible policy alternatives.
Akande cautioned Nigerians against succumbing to recycled political rhetoric, remarking, ‘We need new faces, but they still have old folks.’
He was critical of the figures currently leading the opposition, suggesting they are ill-suited to effectively address national challenges.
“The characters at the forefront are not the ones that can get the job done,” he said, adding that ‘Nigerians would not be inspired by the same old personal vendetta politics.’
However, Akande did commend activist and politician Omoyele Sowore for his efforts to break traditional moulds and introduce fresh narratives into Nigerian politics.
Akande’s comments followed a statement from Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, who suggested his principal, Peter Obi, could pursue the presidency without him.
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Akande questioned the political cohesion between Obi and Baba-Ahmed, interpreting Baba-Ahmed’s recent remark as indicative of deeper internal strife within their ranks.
“If the coalition is serious, Datti should be at the forefront to assure Nigerians of real change,” Akande emphasised, criticising the LP’s perceived lack of a clear manifesto and unified leadership.
Shifting to developments within the APC, Akande suggested that the anticipated appointment of a new party chairman could serve as a vital opportunity for Tinubu to unify the party in preparation for 2027.
“I think it is reasonable that there would be a new chairman today,” he commented, referencing a high-level meeting of APC leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
He underscored the importance of strengthening internal cohesion within the APC, viewing recent opposition manoeuvres as largely superficial.
“There’s a visible onslaught toward the APC, but it’s easier to see where things are headed within the ruling party,” Akande noted.
He advocated for increased civic engagement and a greater focus on issue-driven politics, stressing the need to prioritise critical challenges like poverty alleviation, anti-corruption reforms, and institutional strengthening.
