Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Amaechi, co: Coalition, adoption of ADC party, in whose interest?

POINTBLANK
With Smart Emmanuel 09066642354

In our political landscape today, the conversation around coalitions often sparks hope among some people who are desperate for change.

Key political figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and others are exploring a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a potential vehicle to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, before we get carried away with praises or emotional support, let’s sit back and ask ourselves a critical question: In whose interest is this coalition being formed?

Is the mission of this coalition truly to end bad governance, or is it another desperate power grab masked in the language of rescue and reform? History should guide our present choices, and for Nigerians, the 2015 coalition that brought the APC to power remains a critical reference point. Then, the singular chant was “PDP/Jonathan must go.” The excitement of removing a sitting government overshadowed the need to interrogate the intentions, ideologies, and capacity of those seeking power.

A decade later, we are still reaping the fruit of that hasty coalition, battling worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and governance failures.

Today, as we witness the likes of Atiku and Obi discussing coalition possibilities with El-Rufai, Amaechi, and others under the ADC, Nigerians must pause and reflect.

Are we about to repeat the same mistake of supporting a coalition without understanding the motives and individual ambitions driving it? Are we about to replace one form of hardship with another simply because we failed to ask the right questions?

The reality is that many of these politicians have been part of Nigeria’s governance for decades, switching parties, aligning and realigning when it suits their ambitions, while the people bear the consequences.

What we see now is a gathering of old wines in a new bottle, seeking to leverage public frustration to advance personal ambitions. Before we embrace another hurried coalition, we must examine the motives behind it.

Is this coalition about removing Tinubu/APC, or is it about ending bad governance and providing quality leadership? These are two different pursuits.

Removing a government without a clear, unified, and actionable plan for governance will only lead us back into cycles of disappointment and hardship. If the coalition’s only goal is to unseat Tinubu, it will collapse under the weight of its contradictions and personal ambitions when it eventually gains power.

Let us remember that coalitions often come with complications. Each member of the coalition comes with personal ambitions, power blocs, and loyalists who expect political rewards for their support.

If these figures eventually gain power without a shared vision, they will spend more time fighting each other for control than working to solve the nation’s problems. We have seen this movie before, and it did not end well for the masses.

As Nigerians, we must begin to prefer a system where we freely and consciously vote for candidates based on competence, character, and track record rather than being forced to adopt a candidate simply because powerful figures have formed a coalition or because of blind party loyalty.

Democracy thrives when the people are given genuine choices, not when a few powerbrokers impose their decisions on the populace in the name of rescuing the nation.

It is time for Nigerians to think critically before jumping on the bandwagon of any coalition. We must ask: What is their plan for security, economic revival, healthcare, education, and infrastructural development?

How will they manage their differences and conflicting ambitions if they gain power? Are they willing to run a transparent government, or is this another group of political merchants seeking relevance and power for personal gain?

Yes, we all desire a better Nigeria. We desire leadership that will tackle insecurity, stabilize the economy, create jobs, and build infrastructure that will stand the test of time. However, let us not use our own hands to bring in a rope that will tighten around our necks tomorrow, simply because we are desperate to remove the current government.

We must be vigilant, analytical, and wise. We must interrogate every coalition and political movement to ensure they prioritize the interests of the masses over the interests of political elites. It is not enough to want change; we must demand change that truly transforms and improves the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

As the 2027 elections approach, let us not repeat the mistakes of 2015. Let us not support another coalition that will lead to regrets. Let us insist on a clear vision, accountability, and sincerity of purpose from those seeking to lead us. Only then can we achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.