Presidency: New Opposition Coalition as ‘Desperados’ United by Hatred of Tinubu

Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, has cautioned Nigerians against placing trust in the newly formed opposition coalition adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their platform for the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Wednesday, Onanuga described the coalition members—many former APC figures like Abubakar Malami, Rotimi Amaechi, Hadi Sirika, and Rauf Aregbesola—as individuals who had long left the ruling party and no longer hold political relevance within it.

He accused the coalition of being driven solely by hatred for President Tinubu and labeled them “desperados” seeking to derail Nigeria’s progress for their own political survival. According to him, the APC will not mourn the departure of those like Amaechi, who left after losing the APC presidential primary in 2022.

Onanuga also highlighted Malami’s estrangement from the APC following his failed Kebbi governorship bid, alleged trial challenges facing Sirika over contract splitting, and Aregbesola’s expulsion from the party over anti-party conduct.

He further dismissed other opposition figures such as Kashim Imam and former APC chairman John Odigie Oyegun as disgruntled politicians who abandoned the party.

“My advice to Nigerians: Keep your eyes wide open. A political party with no clear agenda or ideology—whose members are united only by their hatred for President Tinubu—cannot be good for our country,” Onanuga said.

He warned that the coalition’s internal conflicts and personal ambitions will soon lead to its collapse, urging Nigerians not to be swayed by what he termed a desperate grab for power.