Nigeria: Buhari’s death has thrown the ADC Coalition into chaos, as plans to ride the former president’s political fortunes against Tinubu and Shettima in 2027 collapsed.

Nigeria: Politics: Buhari’s death has thrown the ADC Coalition into chaos, as plans to ride the former president’s political fortunes against Tinubu and Shettima in 2027 collapsed.

By: Dr. James Bwala

The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari has significantly disrupted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition’s strategy ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. The ADC had planned to leverage Buhari’s political legacy to challenge the ruling party, particularly targeting Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. However, with Buhari’s passing, the coalition faces internal disarray as their anticipated advantage dissipates, complicating efforts to unify opposition forces and capitalize on northern political sentiments. 

The ADC has openly criticized President Tinubu’s administration for exploiting Buhari’s death to improve its own public image. The party accuses the government of orchestrating a “political theater” through federal tributes designed as calculated PR stunts, aiming to garner sympathy among Buhari loyalists and consolidate support in the north. This appropriation undermines opposition narratives that sought to use Buhari’s legacy as a counterweight against Tinubu and Shettima.

Buhari’s death has not only unsettled opposition coalitions like the ADC but also enabled the ruling government to manipulate public sentiment strategically. The evolving political landscape demands new approaches from opposition groups if they are to remain competitive in the forthcoming elections. 

As the political scene shifts, the ADC and other opposition parties must reevaluate their strategies to effectively counter the ruling party’s growing influence and maintain relevance in Nigerian politics.

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The ADC and its allies must now craft a narrative that resonates with the electorate, focusing on policy-driven agendas rather than relying solely on Buhari’s legacy to galvanize support. In this context, the ADC and its coalition partners are urged to adopt innovative campaigning strategies that prioritize tangible policy proposals addressing economic development, security, and social welfare to effectively engage a diverse voter base across Nigeria.

The ADC coalition must build robust alliances with civil society organizations and grassroots movements to amplify their reach and effectively challenge the entrenched political structures that favor the incumbents. The ADC’s ability to articulate a clear vision for Nigeria’s future while addressing the electorate’s immediate concerns will be crucial in countering the ruling party’s narrative and regaining political ground. 

To achieve this, they must also navigate the complex political dynamics that have emerged in the wake of Buhari’s death. With Buhari no longer a unifying figure, the ADC and its allies face the daunting task of redefining their identity and political message to resonate with a broader audience. However, to successfully reposition themselves, the coalition must also address internal discord and unify their ranks to present a cohesive front that can withstand both political and public scrutiny. Moreover, the coalition’s efforts must be strategically aligned to counter any attempts by the ruling party to exploit Buhari’s legacy for political gain since they claimed the ruling party is already gaining from Buhari’s death. 

A peep into recent developments within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition has revealed emerging sentiments of regret among some members regarding the defection of key figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. These “feelers” suggest that certain individuals who left the APC, particularly associates of former President Buhari, may be reconsidering their decisions due to unforeseen political challenges and instability within their new alignments. The dynamics underscore the complexities inherent in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, where shifting allegiances often reflect strategic calculations as much as ideological commitments.

While official sources and detailed analyses remain scarce, such internal reflections within the ADC coalition highlight potential fractures that could influence electoral outcomes and party cohesion. This situation aligns with broader observations about Nigeria’s opposition coalitions struggling to present a unified front against dominant parties. Understanding these regrets provides critical insight into how political realignments might affect both intra-party stability and national electoral strategies moving forward. 

This introspection may also indicate a broader dissatisfaction with the current trajectory of the ADC, as it struggles to accommodate diverse political interests and ambitions within its ranks. Moreover, the decision to defect appears increasingly precarious as the ADC grapples with internal divisions and questions about its capacity to serve as a viable opposition platform. As the political landscape continues to shift, these internal tensions could lead to a reevaluation of strategic alliances and prompt key figures to reconsider their roles within the ADC. This growing sense of uncertainty may compel some members to seek reconciliation with the APC or explore alternative political alliances that promise greater stability and influence.

While this political storms raged, the activities of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice President, Distinguished Senator Kashim Shettima during the recent burial ceremony has been critically analyzed by a renowned political analyst who posited that the event underscored the formidable alliance between Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. 

This observation highlights how the ceremony served not merely as a cultural or religious rite but also as a potent political statement. By showcasing unity and solidarity, the event effectively dismantled attempts by detractors to sow discord between these two influential figures. The analyst’s perspective suggests that such public displays of cohesion reinforce their combined political capital, which is essential in navigating Nigeria’s complex political landscape.

The burial ceremony functioned as a symbolic platform where communal respect and shared values were emphasized, reflecting positively on Tinubu and Shettima’s partnership. The orchestrated unity at this solemn occasion counteracted divisive narratives propagated by opposition forces aiming to weaken their collaboration. Thus, the analyst’s insight reveals how socio-political events can transcend their immediate contexts to influence broader power dynamics, reinforcing alliances crucial for effective governance and political stability.

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

Nigeria: Buhari’s death has thrown the ADC Coalition into chaos, as plans to ride the former president’s political fortunes against Tinubu and Shettima in 2027 collapsed.