…Says opposition coalition lacks direction, will collapse before elections
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Dr Nicolas Felix, has dismissed the newly launched opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as incapable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
Speaking in Suleja, Niger State, on Thursday, during the distribution of thousands of litres of free petrol to residents, Felix described the initiative as his personal contribution to easing the hardship following the fuel subsidy removal and supporting the Renewed Hope agenda of the Tinubu administration.
The ADC-led coalition, which was announced on July 1, features key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Mr Rotimi Amaechi, among others. The coalition aims to form a united front against the APC in the forthcoming general election.
Dr Felix, however, argued that the alliance lacks cohesion and a shared political vision.
“In a democracy, opposition is expected. We are not perturbed. They are campaigning, but we are yet to hear what exactly they intend to do,” he said.
“There is no threat from this coalition. Let them come together. Like I said recently, they will gather, but they will fall apart. Their motive lacks sincerity and their purpose is unclear.”
He maintained that the APC is confident of President Tinubu securing no fewer than 15 million votes in the 2027 presidential contest, citing what he referred to as the administration’s “verifiable deliverables.”
“As far as the APC is concerned, come 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure not less than 15 million votes. We are convinced of this,” he said.
He pointed to the recent roll-out of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), which granted interest-free loans to over 600,000 students, as one of the administration’s most impactful achievements.
“Didn’t you see students singing with joy on campuses after receiving their NELFund support, over ₦100 billion in interest-free loans? I lived in America for 21 years and never witnessed such. Those 600,000 students will vote, and their families will vote too, because they know what it costs to pursue education,” Felix said.
He described the fuel distribution exercise as a way to show solidarity with struggling Nigerians. “We are giving out free fuel to the community. This is our Renewed Hope season. We’re simply trying to bring relief to the people,” he added.
“This outreach is for everyone, but especially for those who need it most. So I’m even more pleased seeing Okada and Keke riders benefit. That’s who this is meant for, not someone driving a G-Wagon. It’s about giving back.”
During the event, the APC Deputy National Women Leader, Hon Zainab Ibrahim, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to mobilising women across the country. She said women would be instrumental in securing President Tinubu’s return in 2027.
She also disclosed that, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has received a budgetary allocation exceeding ₦100 billion to strengthen its interventions nationwide.
“We are pushing hard for the passage of the Special Seats Bill in the National Assembly. It will be a turning point for Nigerian women. Women across the country will stand solidly behind President Tinubu in the next election,” she said.
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