Emmanuel Ezeh, Labour Party candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi federal constituency in the 2027 general elections, has urged opposition parties to embrace coalition politics or risk defeat at the polls.

Mr Ezeh said no opposition party currently possessed the political strength to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress on its own.

Mr Ezeh stated this while speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abakaliki, stressing that only a broad-based alliance founded on discipline, strategic coordination and institutional reforms could provide a credible alternative to the electorate in 2027.

According to him, opposition politics in Nigeria remains fragmented, limiting its capacity to effectively challenge the advantages enjoyed by an incumbent administration.

Mr Ezeh said the political landscape had evolved beyond sentiment-driven campaigns, requiring parties to adopt a more strategic and organised approach to remain competitive.

“Opposition politics must move from emotional mobilisation to strategic engagement. Political parties must build structures, strengthen internal processes and develop clear ideological directions capable of inspiring public confidence,” Mr Ezeh said.

He noted that recent primary elections conducted by some opposition parties exposed weaknesses in candidate selection processes and internal governance mechanisms.

Mr Ezeh argued that such shortcomings continued to affect the credibility of opposition parties and weaken their ability to attract wider support. He urged political parties to prioritise transparency, fairness and internal democracy, maintaining that sustainable electoral success could only be achieved through credible processes.

The politician advocated a dual strategy of healthy internal competition and external cooperation among opposition parties. He said that while parties should strengthen their individual platforms and identities, they must also recognise the need to collaborate to confront a common political challenge.

Mr Eze cited the experience of influential political figures across the country, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, as evidence that strong political movements still required broader alliances to overcome the structural advantages of incumbency.

He further commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti, describing it as an example of leadership driven by strategic planning, institutional capacity and effective political organisation.

According to him, successful governance and political relevance depend on functional structures rather than the popularity of individual leaders alone.

Mr Ezeh maintained that coalition-building, consensus-based candidate selection, and internal reforms would determine the future of opposition politics in Nigeria. He warned that parties unwilling to adapt to changing political realities could remain disadvantaged in future elections.

“Political actors must compete like businesses but unite like a coalition if they hope to build a viable alternative and achieve electoral success in 2027,” he added. 

(NAN)