Mr Daniel Okorie, former Technical Assistant to former governor of Ebonyi, Chief David Umahi has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress against dismissing the emerging coalition of opposition politicians as mere theatre.
Okorie who served Umahi as a technical assistant on Students Affairs said that the credibility of any opposition coalition lied not in its formation, but in the quality of individuals it put forward for leadership.
Okorie, a Nigerian Canadian-based estate lawyer stated this on Thursday in Abakaliki in an interview with our correspondent.
The legal practitioner noted that past elections had revealed a growing political consciousness among Nigerians adding that it would be politically unwise to dismiss any coalition outright as mere theatre.
“The credibility of any opposition coalition lies not in its formation, but in the quality of individuals it puts forward for leadership.
” Past elections have revealed a growing political consciousness among Nigerians; increasingly, voters are transcending party lines and making decisions based on personal credibility, competence, and proven track records.
“I can speak from personal experience; my family and I voted across party lines in the last elections and time has validated those choices.
“It is clear that party loyalty, in the absence of substance, no longer carries the weight it once did.
” Nigeria’s political parties are not ideological institutions in the true sense; rather, they function more as platforms or vehicles (public vehicles) that can break down at any point and are often abandoned when no longer functional.
“In that context, the threat posed by the emerging coalition will depend significantly on the calibre of candidates they present, the strength of their message, and the sincerity of their mission,” Okorie said.
He observed that the APC under the leadership of Gov. Francis Nwifuru has demonstrated commendable efforts in uniting and mobilising stakeholders.
“His inclusive approach has created a political environment that will be difficult to upend, at least at the state level.”
Okorie former President of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Students Union Government however said that the dynamics at the national level were far more complex and would largely depend on what the opposition coalition brought to the table in terms of vision, unity and integrity.
Speaking on the crumbling of the coalition due to ego and lack of shared values , he said that the concern was valid and stemmed from an inability to transcend personal ambition and unify under a common vision.
“However, this time presents a unique opportunity; the economic hardships and prevailing insecurity in the country have already done a significant part of the campaign for the opposition, though that alone is not sufficient.
‘”If the coalition can mature beyond individual interests and embrace a collective purpose driven by strategic thinking, it stands a real chance.
“Success will not be automatic; it will depend on their ability to operate with discipline, clear messaging and a genuine commitment to national interest.
“While political egos are notoriously difficult to suppress, desperate times often create uncommon alliances.
“As it stands, I believe the coalition remains on a promising trajectory, but sustaining that momentum will require intentional sacrifice and smart political calculus,” he added.
Okorie lamented the widespread public frustration over economic hardships and insecurity, said that history could repeat itself in 2027 where a ruling party could lose to an opposition.
“In any democratic system, power is never permanently guaranteed; it is earned and re-earned through performance, credibility and public trust.
“If the opposition coalition plays its cards right, presents a compelling national vision and crucially if the electoral process is transparent and votes genuinely count, then history could repeat itself with a sitting government losing its mandate.
“Public sentiment is shifting and citizens are more politically aware than ever before.
“The outcome of the 2027 elections will not hinge solely on party machinery but on how convincingly each party connects with the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he said. ENDS//
