By Jeremy Fregene
The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has called on leading opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to unite under its platform in a bid to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Lagos State Chairman of the party, James Adeshina, made the appeal in an interview on Thursday, citing the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a major threat to opposition cohesion.
Adeshina described the unfolding situation in the ADC as symptomatic of a deeper problem of fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition politics, warning that internal divisions could weaken the ability of opposition forces to present a credible alternative to the ruling party.
“Nigeria’s political landscape is once again witnessing turbulence,” he said, noting that what should have served as a formidable opposition platform in the ADC is now mired in leadership disputes and uncertainty.
According to him, the crisis within the ADC, recently adopted by prominent opposition leaders, has far-reaching implications, including the risk of unchecked political dominance and fears of a drift towards a one-party state.
He argued that with both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and ADC grappling with internal challenges, the PRP stands out as a stable and credible alternative, free from the factional disputes that have plagued other parties.
Adeshina urged opposition leaders to rethink their strategy, calling for collaboration rather than competition among political actors seeking change.
He extended an open invitation to key stakeholders across the opposition divide, including Rauf Aregbesola, to align with the PRP, which he described as Nigeria’s oldest political party with a consistent legacy of discipline and ideological focus.
“The truth is simple: Nigeria does not need multiple weak opposition parties; it needs one strong, united force capable of challenging the status quo,” he said.
He maintained that the current ADC crisis should serve as a wake-up call for opposition leaders to rise above party loyalties and embrace a broader national agenda aimed at rescuing the country.
Adeshina emphasised that aligning under a more stable platform would not mean abandoning political ideals, but rather preserving them within a viable and cohesive structure.
He also expressed confidence in the PRP’s electoral prospects, stating that the party has the capacity to win both the 2027 presidential election and the Lagos State governorship if opposition forces rally behind it.
Meanwhile, the crisis within the ADC deepened following a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and other officials, citing a subsisting court order.