Segun Sowunmi, convener of the political group The Alternative, has criticised the ongoing coalition efforts around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asserting that the successful coalition strategy in Nigerian politics was developed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, and cannot be simply replicated by newer opposition alliances.
Sowunmi made the remarks during an appearance on TVC’s Breakfast programme on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Sowunmi argued that the political alliance that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was rooted in years of ideological stability and deliberate political groundwork, qualities he said are absent in the current coalition initiatives led by the ADC.
“First of all, you must concede that the playbook of a coalition political party belongs to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari in that bloc,” he said, referring to their unified approach that brought together different political identities into one platform.
Coalition building has been a significant theme in Nigerian politics since the APC’s formation in 2013, when multiple political figures and parties aligned to challenge the then-dominant People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC’s success in 2015, with Buhari as its presidential candidate backed by Tinubu’s political support, is often cited as a landmark example of effective coalition politics. Recent efforts, including the ADC-based coalition involving opposition leaders, aim to establish a united front for the 2027 general elections.
Sowunmi emphasised that Tinubu’s and Buhari’s collaboration succeeded because both leaders had established political identities over time—Tinubu associated with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Action Congress (AC), and Buhari rooted in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
This shared political material, he said, fostered a stable foundation for coalition formation.
Sowunmi criticised the current coalition proponents, particularly within the ADC, accusing them of trying to adopt a coalition template they neither understand nor helped to build. He said many of those advocating for coalition fail to grasp the depth of groundwork required, describing some efforts as superficial and lacking grassroots engagement.
“The challenge with these people now is that those who want to do coalition are a cheap, fake set of humans who do not understand that you have to rewrite the book,” he argued.
He underscored that genuine coalition building requires sustained grassroots mobilisation and political sacrifice, pointing out that Tinubu and Buhari’s eventual alliance followed previous unsuccessful attempts and internal party changes before coalescing under a new political platform.
Regarding internal challenges facing the ADC, Sowunmi suggested that leadership crises within the party stem from attempts to assert control without due regard for constitutional processes, contributing to instability and hindering coherent coalition building.
Sowunmi’s comments reflect broader debates over the strategy and viability of coalition politics in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
While some analysts view coalition as essential for a competitive challenge to the ruling party, critics like Sowunmi contend that successful alliances require foundational work, shared ideology and cohesive leadership—elements they believe are lacking in the current approach.
As discussion intensifies around opposition strategies for the 2027 electoral cycle, Sowunmi’s critique highlights internal disagreements about coalition methodology and political identity.
Continued dialogue among stakeholders, clarity on ideological foundations, and strengthened organisational structures may influence the direction and effectiveness of future alliances in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
