Ladan Salihu, a former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has categorically stated that the party still remains the strongest political platform capable of competing with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, news.ng reports.
Salihu stated this in an interview on Arise Television on Sunday afternoon.
He expressed hope that the opposition coalition in Nigeria, championed by the ADC, still has what it takes to offer an alternative to the current administration despite the crisis facing some opposition parties in the country.
He stated, “And to the issues of the day and to your question, Nigerians had confidence in, you know, the amalgamation, if you like, the aggregation of all opposition parties and all opposition movements, the Obedient and the Kwankwasiyya Movement. And before them, millions of people who believe that our democracy will thrive when you have, you know, a very strong and virile opposition.
“And so, when they were with the ADC, the opposition was seen generally by Nigerians as that platform that will rekindle hope in democracy and provide an alternative route for a government come 2027. Unfortunately, the opposition is, like you did say at the opening of your opening remarks, is currently, if you like, fragmented by largely political forces and politicians at the highest level with voting and what I will also call somersaulting ambitions. They tend to believe that they are in the opposition in the first place to actualise their own personal ambitions and to see through their own personal dreams as opposed to having an opposition that will provide, you know, that will inspire Nigerians to rise and believe that our democracy can work when a government is operating within the norms and context of civil and civilised democracy, it will be applauded.”
However, while expressing hope that the opposition could serve as an alternative to the current administration, Salihu emphasised that this can only happen when there is a strong and united opposition.
“Once the same citizens believe that the government or a party in charge is not performing to their own expectations, that party and the government can be voted out. A house divided against itself will not stand,” he noted.
He, therefore, reiterated that the ADC is the most qualified party to unseat the ruling APC.
“I still believe that the ADC is the most credible, the most organised and the most virile platform that will actualise that dream for Nigerian opposition,” he declared.
