Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as an unexpected asset to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his public criticism of opposition figures is indirectly strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the former Edo State governor argued that growing divisions among opposition leaders are weakening their ability to mount a unified challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
According to him, internal disagreements involving key opposition figures including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi are playing into the hands of the ruling party.
“You mean that APC would be worried about which of the parties now… ADC? I saw Atiku. Atiku is now our best campaign manager because he is attacking Obi, and I see Obi attacking Amaechi,” Oshiomhole said.
He also referenced recent exchanges among opposition leaders, noting that each appears more focused on criticizing the other than building a coordinated political alternative. Amaechi says Obi is a regional player, Atiku is a regional player, and he is the only national player, but he didn’t tell us what his ward unit looks like,” he added.
Oshiomhole expressed confidence that the opposition would struggle to dislodge the APC in 2027, insisting that Nigerians have yet to hear a clear alternative policy agenda from rival parties.
So, the opposition can have their dreams, but they will be defeated flatly because nobody believes them, he said, challenging them to clarify whether they intend to reverse key government policies such as fuel subsidy removal, taxation reforms, and student loan initiatives.
He maintained that President Tinubu’s administration has taken tough but necessary decisions aimed at stabilizing governance and repositioning the economy, despite political backlash.
Political alignments have continued to shift ahead of the 2027 elections, with major figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi reportedly exploring different political platforms and coalitions.
While some opposition actors were earlier linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), emerging disputes have led to further fragmentation, with new alignments still evolving.
As the political atmosphere heats up, analysts say the widening cracks within the opposition could significantly shape the contest for power in 2027.
