That the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed is hardly in question. President Bola Tinubu came to power on the promise of “Renewed Hope”, but for millions of Nigerians, the reality has been renewed hardship, insecurity, and despair.
A party that once described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government under Goodluck Jonathan as clueless has shown itself to be even less capable of providing solutions to the myriad problems confronting the nation. Presidential media aides may continue to churn out statistics, milestones, and purported achievements, but no government that has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property should expect to be taken seriously. Such a government should be ashamed to seek another four years in office.
The recent security situation in the country paints a grim picture. On May 15, 2026, armed gunmen attacked multiple schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State, abducting 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers. Yet, on May 30, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), was seen dancing after receiving the Southern Kaduna Grand Commander Award at the 2026 Southern Kaduna Festival. Who should have led the operation to rescue the victims if not Musa himself?
In any serious society, a Commander-in-Chief who genuinely values the lives of citizens would demand accountability from security chiefs, especially Musa, his defence minister. But President Tinubu appears unperturbed. To him, securing a second term seems to be the primary objective, while the welfare and security of Nigerians have become secondary concerns.
Earlier this month, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was seen smiling as she donated vehicles to women leaders of the APC in five opposition-controlled states. Yet, the victims of the Oriire kidnapping remain in captivity. The body of the teacher reportedly murdered by the abductors is yet to be recovered for burial. It is a tragic and deeply troubling situation.
Last weekend, another shocking incident underscored the worsening insecurity in the country. Former army spokesman, General Rabe Abubakar, died while being held captive by bandits. His wife remains in captivity. The bandits reportedly released his corpse to the Katsina State Government for burial, yet the criminals responsible remain at large.
Veteran journalist Dare Babarinsa aptly described the situation as both a national tragedy and a national disgrace. He questioned the effectiveness of the country’s numerous identification systems, including the Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identity Number (NIN), Voter’s Card, and Driver’s Licence, if they cannot assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending criminals.
He wrote:
“General Abubakar Rabe, who retired from the Nigerian Army after almost three decades in the service of our beloved nation, was captured and murdered by criminals. He was not killed in battle, but by evil cowards. The criminals mercifully released his corpse and freed his grieving widow, who was in captivity with him. Yet these criminals are still walking on this land as invisible spectres. We need to know that all these are happening in a land where we have driver’s licences, voter’s cards, BVN and national identity cards. What is the purpose of all these if criminals are still so free to operate?”
His questions deserve answers.
However, my focus today is not on the APC or President Tinubu. Much has already been said and written about their failures. My concern is with the opposition, which claims it is determined to end Tinubu’s misrule in 2027.
Sadly, many opposition figures appear more interested in pursuing personal ambitions than building the broad coalition necessary to rescue Nigeria. Politics is ultimately about sacrifice, compromise, and collective purpose. Yet too many opposition leaders seem unwilling to subordinate their individual aspirations to the national interest.
There are many examples, but I will focus on two personalities: Dele Momodu and Aisha Yesufu.
After months of political manoeuvring, veteran journalist and former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu last week urged the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to nominate him as running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 election.
According to him, a ticket comprising Atiku from the North and himself from the South would present a formidable challenge to the APC.
When I read that report, several things became clearer to me. I finally understood why Momodu has been carrying the Atiku project on his head like Gala. I understood why he appears unconcerned about the principle of North-South power rotation, which Atiku is effectively seeking to bypass by aspiring to succeed another northerner, Muhammadu Buhari, who governed Nigeria for eight years from 2015 to 2023.
I also understood why Momodu continues to champion Atiku’s candidacy despite growing concerns about age and generational leadership. The same Atiku that Nollywood actor turned politician, Kenneth Okonkwo said is ‘too old to climb stairs’ in 2023. It became obvious that this is not fundamentally about Nigeria. It is about his ambition to become vice-president should the ADC win power in 2027.
On her part, activist Aisha Yesufu has been fuming after losing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial primary for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which she claims was manipulated against her.
Last week, the National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, revealed that both he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had initially offered Yesufu a House of Representatives ticket, but she allegedly rejected it, insisting that she was too prominent for the Green Chamber.
Aisha Yesufu first gained national prominence as a co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, which demanded accountability from government and called for the rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram. She later became one of the leading voices during the #EndSARS protests of 2020.
When I first heard that she intended to contest for elective office in 2027, I was genuinely pleased. In fact, I told my wife, Ashabi, that seeing Aisha Yesufu and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan together in the National Assembly would be fascinating.
However, if one is unable to secure a Senate ticket and the party offers a House of Representatives ticket instead, what exactly is wrong with accepting it?
More importantly, who told Aisha Yesufu that the House of Representatives is inferior to the Senate?
In October 2024, members of the House of Representatives openly rejected the planned conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Speaker Tajudeen Abbas while Senate President Godswill Akpabio was to receive the higher Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
The lawmakers argued that the National Assembly is a bicameral legislature comprising two constitutionally equal chambers and that assigning different honours was discriminatory.
Indeed, the House of Representatives is not a political kindergarten. It is a chamber populated by distinguished professionals, academics, former ministers, retired military officers, and accomplished politicians.
I know Professor Julius Ihonvbere, who represents Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State and serves as House Majority Leader. I know Hon. Khadijat Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, wife of former Yobe State governor Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, who has represented her constituency since 2007. Former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila served in the House for two decades before becoming Chief of Staff to the President.
What, then, makes Aisha Yesufu believe the House of Representatives is beneath her? Journalist Kemi Yesufu made a similar point in a recent intervention. According to her, Aisha Yesufu may have made a significant political mistake by rejecting the House of Representatives ticket. Kemi argued that the Green Chamber is not a place for political lightweights but a legislature that has, since 1999, attracted accomplished professionals, academics, former ministers, and experienced public servants. She noted that, despite Aisha’s credentials as a respected activist, she remains a political newcomer and would have benefited from gaining legislative experience in the House before seeking higher office. Kemi further argued that a diligent and effective member of the House of Representatives can be just as impactful as a senator, noting that committee chairmanships and legislative responsibilities often provide significant opportunities to influence national policy.
Given the growing dissatisfaction with the APC in the FCT and Peter Obi’s enduring popularity among many voters, it is entirely possible that any credible NDC candidate could win a National Assembly seat there. Had Aisha accepted the House of Representatives ticket and secured victory, she would have gained legislative experience, built a political structure, and established herself as a formidable force for future contests.
Furthermore, it is a misconception to believe that senators alone wield influence. A diligent and effective member of the House of Representatives can be just as impactful, if not more so, than a senator. Committee chairmanships, constituency representation, oversight responsibilities, and legislative initiatives offer substantial opportunities for national relevance.
The broader lesson here is that politics requires patience. Many successful politicians did not begin their careers at the highest levels. They climbed the ladder gradually, building experience, networks, and credibility along the way.
This is precisely the problem confronting much of the opposition today. While Nigerians are looking for a credible alternative to the APC, many opposition figures remain consumed by personal calculations, ego, and individual ambitions.
The APC’s failures are evident. The economic hardship is real. The insecurity is worsening. Public confidence in government continues to decline. Yet defeating a ruling party requires more than pointing out its shortcomings. It requires discipline, unity, strategic thinking, and sacrifice.
If opposition leaders genuinely want to rescue Nigeria from the rot they say the APC has plunged the country into, they must first rescue themselves from the politics of self-interest.
Akinsuyi, former group politics editor of the Daily Independent, writes from the United Kingdom. He can be reached at shabydayo@gmail.com
