NNPP Chieftain Buba Galadima has accused the opposition coalition, spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, of inadvertently strengthening the ruling party’s position through premature political campaigns.
Galadima argues that the coalition’s early mobilization provides the government with justification for poor governance performance. “We are falling into a trap; we are giving this government an excuse not to deliver dividends of democracy by politicizing everything,” Galadima told Arise TV. “The campaigns have already started; now, they have a chance to say they were not left to govern. They drew us into this.”
The NNPP leader directed sharp criticism at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to regulate political activities outside electoral periods. “Of course, maybe I will blame INEC in the sense that INEC doesn’t have the liver or doesn’t have the strength of character to call politicians to order,” Galadima stated. “Has INEC given the go-ahead and the timetable for politicking? We are only two years into this government; INEC cannot come out to say, ‘Look, politicians, stop. It is not time for politicking; it is time for governance.'”
Galadima questioned INEC’s enforcement capabilities, suggesting the commission should threaten party deregistration for violations. “And whoever breaks our rule, we will deregister its political party. Is it because members of government are doing that and they are afraid to lose their jobs? That is where we will be directing the minds of the people of this country.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress has dismissed the coalition’s threat, with Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga characterizing the opposition leaders as “desperados” representing an older generation seeking power without clear ideology.
Onanuga emphasized that the government remains unfazed by the coalition’s formation, signaling confidence in the ruling party’s political position despite mounting opposition pressure.
