Nigeria stands at a historic crossroads. With political discontent swelling across the country, a new coalition has emerged, vowing to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 elections. But for this coalition to matter—truly matter—it must be more than just another group of political heavyweights seeking power. It must rise as a genuine response to a nation gripped by hardship, anxiety, and distrust.

From the fuel queues in Abuja to the hungry households in Kano, citizens are tired. Tired of promises made and quickly broken. Tired of seeing recycled manifestos and politicians who only remember the masses when elections approach. The coalition forming in the shadows of Tinubu’s leadership must not be a union of ambition. It must be a rescue mission.

A Government Losing Ground

When President Tinubu took office, his campaign carried the promise of “renewed hope.” However, two years later, Nigerians face the bitter reality of economic hardship, worsening inflation, a weakening naira, and soaring fuel prices. While reforms were promised, they came with little cushioning for the poor. Fuel subsidies vanished, yet no sustainable safety nets emerged to protect vulnerable citizens.

Worse still, transparency is in short supply. The public now sees headlines filled with inflated budgets, luxury vehicles for officials, and murky project allocations—while millions go to bed hungry. People who once hoped for progress now watch a political elite grow richer as the rest of the country drowns in hardship. The government’s approval rating is plummeting, and public trust in the APC is faltering.

Coalitions: The Hope and the History

In response to this growing discontent, the newly formed Action Democratic Congress coalition brings together politicians and stakeholders from across party lines. The goal? To remove the APC from power in 2027. Yet Nigerians have seen such coalitions before. They remember the birth of the APC in 2013, an alliance that rode to victory but later failed to deliver the sweeping reforms it promised.

They also remember “third force” movements that captured attention but lost direction before election day. Too often, coalitions are built on survival, not service. They collapse after elections—fractured by ego, ambition, and ideological hollowness.

So the question now is: Will this new coalition offer something different? Or will it become just another note in the long, painful song of political betrayal?

Beyond Numbers: The Need for Vision and Integrity

Nigeria doesn’t need another coalition built on regional balancing and name recognition. It needs a team of reformers, not retired gladiators. What is required is a national rescue coalition rooted in merit, not political mathematics.

To make a difference, this coalition must:

• Attract visionary technocrats who understand fiscal responsibility, education reform, and energy security.

• Empower youth leaders who can connect the streets with the policies.

• Involve civil society actors with real track records in advocacy and accountability.

• Craft a transformation-driven manifesto, not a vague list of talking points.

Most importantly, this coalition must articulate a clear and urgent national agenda: security, food sufficiency, employment, healthcare reform, anti-corruption efforts, and the rebuilding of public institutions.

New Faces, Not Old Tricks

Nigeria has had enough of party-hopping veterans with no real ideological base. While political experience can be useful, the overwhelming legacy of the country’s current class of politicians is one of missed opportunities and eroded trust. It’s time to turn the page.

This coalition must break from the past—not just by saying the right things, but by doing the right things. It must give center stage to young innovators, policy experts, and digital entrepreneurs. It must recruit leaders who are not just competent but ethically grounded.

The world has seen such examples succeed. After Tunisia’s Arab Spring, a broad coalition—uniting secularists, Islamists, technocrats, and activists—helped bring stability. In France, Emmanuel Macron built a new political movement that displaced traditional parties and reformed the economy. Italy’s Mario Monti led a technocratic coalition through a major fiscal crisis. Kenya’s 2013 youth-led campaign leaned heavily on technology and digital engagement. Even Rwanda, despite criticisms, has shown how strong leadership and disciplined vision can transform post-conflict societies.

Will Nigeria Follow or Falter?

The 2027 elections offer a rare opportunity for Nigeria not just to elect a different government, but to rethink governance itself. That is the challenge before the new coalition. Will it be defined by ambition or by purpose? By numbers or by vision?

The coalition must build a soul, not just a structure. It must insist on:

• Internal democracy, where candidates emerge based on capacity, not godfathers.

• Policy-driven campaigns, not identity politics or empty slogans.

• Merit-based leadership recruitment, across all geopolitical zones.

• Radical transparency, both in campaign financing and governance promises.

This is no time for nostalgia. The same faces, the same voices, and the same excuses won’t cut it. Nigerians want accountability, discipline, and direction. They are no longer clapping for grandstanding or defection dramas. They want action.

The Youth Are Watching. The Nation Is Waiting

Today’s Nigerian youth are politically conscious, digitally connected, and socially active. They represent a powerful demographic that cannot be ignored or tokenized. Professionals in various sectors are also ready to offer ideas, leadership, and sacrifice—if given the chance.

The coalition must recognize this reality. It must not be a closed-door arrangement among the usual suspects. If it is to succeed, it must become a citizen-led movement that prioritizes Nigeria’s future over political calculations.

The Time to Act Is Now

We have heard enough speeches. Nigerians have endured enough disappointment. This coalition has one chance—one shot—to be different. To break the cycle. To usher in a new era.

If it defaults to the same old habits, it will fail—and rightly so. But if it dares to recruit based on excellence, if it places the nation above personal interest, and if it listens to the people rather than just talking at them, then it may just write a new chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The choice is simple: be a national imperative or just another political convenience dressed in new robes.

Let the coalition choose wisely.

Let it choose now.