As political alignments continue to shift ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, former presidential aide Laolu Akande has called for a fresh political direction, urging Nigerians to reject the recycling of old political figures and instead demand authentic leadership rooted in reform and policy.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme aired on Thursday, Akande expressed concerns over the current state of opposition politics in Nigeria. While he acknowledged the flaws within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he argued that the party remains more structurally organized than its opposition rivals.
“We need new faces, but they still have old folks,” Akande said, referring to the tendency of opposition parties to rely on familiar political actors rather than introducing credible alternatives.
According to him, the opposition continues to lean on outdated strategies and personalities that fail to inspire confidence among Nigerians.
“The characters at the forefront are not the ones that can get the job done. Nigerians would not be inspired by the same old personal vendetta politics,” he added.
Akande’s remarks follow recent comments by Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, who stated that his principal, Peter Obi, could contest the 2027 elections without him.
Akande interpreted this as a sign of internal discord within the Labour Party (LP).
“If the coalition is serious, Datti should be at the forefront to assure Nigerians of real change,” he noted, suggesting that the LP lacks cohesion and clarity in its direction.
He further criticized the opposition for lacking a clear manifesto and leadership identity.
“I think APC has better arrangements,” Akande said. “While the APC has issues, the opposition appears disorganized and without a clear political identity.”
He emphasized that the opposition seems more preoccupied with removing President Bola Tinubu than with offering Nigerians tangible policy alternatives.
“The opposition has allowed a dominant narrative to thrive, one that appears fixated on removing President Bola Tinubu without presenting viable policy alternatives,” he stated.
On the state of affairs within the APC, Akande acknowledged that while internal restructuring is ongoing, the party is taking deliberate steps to strengthen itself ahead of the next election cycle.
He referenced Wednesday’s high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, hinting at the possibility of a new national chairman.
“I think it is reasonable that there would be a new chairman today,” he said.
“There’s a visible onslaught toward the APC, but it’s easier to see where things are headed within the ruling party,” Akande added, stressing the importance of unity within the APC for electoral success.
He called for more civic participation and a shift toward issue-based politics.
Akande urged political leaders and parties to focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including poverty, corruption, and institutional reform.
