As Nigeria’s political atmosphere thickens, this past week has exposed the rising tensions between decaying loyalty, violent bloodshed, and the difficult quest for political redemption.
Rabiu Kwankwaso’s alleged realignment with the APC has sparked internal fury within the NNPP. SERAP’s call for transparency on security votes challenges governors to prove their legitimacy amid unrelenting violence.
In Anambra, mass killing again questions Nigeria’s monopoly on force. A new ADC-led coalition aims to unseat the APC, while Rotimi Amaechi accuses INEC of closing the political space. Wike fends off corruption allegations about land allocations to his children, and the political clock to 2027 ticks louder.
1. NNPP: Kwankwaso Betrayed Us, Let APC Take Him
The NNPP has openly disowned its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, accusing him of betrayal and sabotage. The party’s leadership says Kwankwaso tried to hijack the party, introduced avoidable litigation, and altered the party’s identity to reflect his personal movement. Speculation is rife that Kwankwaso may join the APC following Ganduje’s resignation as chairman.
Why it Matters:
This fallout represents more than a personal clash. It reveals the volatility of smaller parties in Nigeria, often driven by personality cults rather than enduring ideology. If Kwankwaso defects, it may realign northern political power within the APC, further weakening credible third-party alternatives.
2. SERAP to Governors: Explain Security Vote Spending or Face Court
SERAP has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all 36 state governors to disclose how they’ve spent security vote allocations since May 2023. Citing Nigeria’s security failures, the organisation warned that it would initiate legal action if governors fail to comply.
Why it Matters:
Security votes remain one of Nigeria’s most opaque expenditures. With governors often immune from public scrutiny, SERAP’s legal challenge could set a precedent for financial accountability. In a country battling insurgency and banditry, opaque budgeting feeds public distrust and poor governance.
3. Anambra: 19 Feared Dead in Massacre at Community Meeting
Gunmen attacked a gathering in Ogboji, Anambra State, killing at least 10 people and injuring several others. Witnesses say the attackers demanded meeting records before opening fire. The police confirmed the incident and launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Why it Matters:
Another deadly incident highlights Nigeria’s weakening control over its territory. Whether politically motivated or criminally driven, mass killings like this showcase the gap between security rhetoric and reality. Without justice or deterrence, impunity becomes the norm.
READ ALSO: Crumbling Alliances, Bloodshed, Race for 2027: Nigeria’s Tumultuous Week
4. ADC Coalition Emerges to Challenge APC in 2027
Opposition leaders including Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and Amaechi have adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their coalition platform ahead of the 2027 elections. Former Senate President David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were announced as interim leaders.
Why it Matters:
This could be the most formidable opposition alliance since 2015. Yet the presence of familiar faces and early internal discord raises questions about authenticity. If they maintain unity and inspire trust, the coalition could reshape Nigeria’s political future. If not, it may end as another elite pact without mass appeal.
5. My Children Are Nigerian Citizens, Have Rights to Own Land — Wike
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike denied allocating thousands of hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his children, calling the allegations baseless. He described the claims as part of a political smear campaign, challenging critics to provide evidence and questioning the existence of such vast unallocated land.
Why it Matters:
Wike’s rebuttal is less about land and more about credibility. In a nation where elite privilege thrives and public perception matters, unchecked access to resources by political families fuels resentment. His defence rests on legality, but the broader concern remains whether public officeholders are misusing access for dynastic gain.
6. 2027: INEC Closing Political Space to Benefit APC — Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi accused INEC of deliberately frustrating the registration of new opposition parties like the ADA, forcing opposition leaders to settle for the ADC. He alleged that minor technical delays were being used as tools to suppress alternative platforms and tilt 2027 in APC’s favour.
Why it Matters:
When the electoral umpire is accused of bias, democracy teeters. Amaechi’s allegations underscore growing fears that 2027 may not be a fair contest. If opposition parties cannot register or operate freely, the electoral process risks becoming a performance, not a choice. Credibility now depends on INEC’s willingness to prove neutrality.
Conclusion:
This week’s developments reflect a country struggling to untangle itself from the grip of political decay and institutional distrust. The elite continue to reconfigure alliances with little regard for ideology, while insecurity and governance failures erode public faith. Accusations against INEC, calls for financial transparency, and recurring violence tell one story: Nigeria’s democracy is not broken from one end, but fraying at every seam.
The 2027 election may become a referendum not on parties or manifestos, but on whether citizens still believe that meaningful change can emerge from the ballot. With rising distrust, misrule, and elite immunity, the real battle is not between APC and ADC, but between survival and state collapse.