|By Adejumo Adekunle-
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has slammed a proposed coalition of opposition leaders aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, calling it a “needless distraction” driven by political bitterness rather than a viable national agenda.
Speaking in Lagos during an interactive session with journalists and political stakeholders, Sanwo-Olu affirmed his unwavering support for President Tinubu’s leadership, praising his reform-driven administration and the steady national progress it has made. He described the new coalition — reportedly aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — as lacking direction and meaningful substance.
“Nigerians will never go back to Egypt,” Sanwo-Olu declared, drawing a metaphor to highlight that the nation had moved beyond the political ideologies of the past.
He warned that the sole aim of the opposition movement is to derail the country’s growth trajectory. “The goal of this coalition is clear — to distract the Commander-in-Chief and obstruct the tangible social and economic progress being achieved. But President Tinubu understands the game and remains focused,” the governor said.
The emerging alliance features a roster of prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-governors Nasir el-Rufai and Rauf Aregbesola.
However, Governor Sanwo-Olu dismissed the lineup as a band of “discontented actors” lacking a coherent national vision. “They offer no new vision, only grievances,” he said, warning that the coalition was bound to collapse under the weight of its contradictions.
He credited President Tinubu for delivering key reforms in foreign exchange stabilization, tax policy, increased oil production, infrastructure upgrades, and the implementation of a new student loan scheme. He also noted increased revenue for state governments following the removal of fuel subsidy and the administration’s efforts toward minimum wage reform.
“President Tinubu is not just a leader but a nation-builder. His legacy of empowerment and vision continues to drive meaningful change across Nigeria,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Asked whether the Tinubu administration or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) felt threatened by the emerging coalition, Sanwo-Olu was firm in his response: “There is no need for concern. Nigerians are discerning. They recognize real leadership and results when they see them. The record speaks louder than political noise.”
He echoed the sentiments of presidential aides who earlier described the opposition movement as a gathering of “political desperados” and “internally displaced politicians,” adding that such a group lacked the cohesion to present a credible alternative.
On what advice he would give the President amidst rising political rhetoric, Sanwo-Olu urged resilience and focus: “Stay the course. Millions of Nigerians, across party lines, recognize the difficulty of governance and the complexity of rebuilding a challenged economy. They trust his leadership and are firmly behind him.”
He appealed to Nigerians to remain focused on the bigger picture of national development and not allow political distractions to derail the reforms already underway.
