In a recent interview on Trust TV, ADC chieftain Oladimeji Fabiyi revisited the political realignments that shaped Nigeria’s 2015 general election, drawing comparisons with current opposition strategies ahead of 2027. He argued that coalition politics often require strategic sacrifices from key actors.
During the discussion, Fabiyi posed a rhetorical question while reflecting on events that led to the defeat of then-President Goodluck Jonathan. He stated, “In 2014, Bola Ahmed Tinubu led the charge of the APC. Why didn’t he run at that time against Goodluck Jonathan?” According to him, the decision by Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to contest in 2015 demonstrated political calculation and an understanding of coalition-building.
Fabiyi explained that Tinubu, widely regarded as a central architect of the APC’s rise, chose instead to support Muhammadu Buhari, who eventually emerged as the party’s presidential candidate and won the election. He suggested that the move underscored the importance of compromise within political alliances, especially when the broader objective is to unseat an incumbent government.
Drawing parallels to the present, Fabiyi maintained that opposition figures must be willing to subordinate personal ambition for collective success. He argued that political history shows that strategic restraint can strengthen a movement rather than weaken it.
The ADC chieftain concluded by urging contemporary political actors to study past transitions carefully. In his view, the lessons of 2014 remain relevant, particularly for parties seeking to build viable coalitions capable of mounting a serious challenge in future elections.See_More…