Public affairs analyst, Alaibi Joseph, has called on opposition figures including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Peter Obi to participate in an open presidential primary ahead of the 2027 elections — specifically to challenge former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently reaffirmed his political ambitions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Joseph said that internal democracy must prevail if opposition parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hope to mount a credible challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku not the reason for opposition weakness
Responding to growing criticism that Atiku should step aside to allow younger candidates emerge, Joseph argued that the real issue is fear of competition, not Atiku’s continued presence.
“If the opposition finds itself in disarray today, it is not because Atiku refuses to retire. It is because of fear — fear of internal competition, fear of genuine primaries, and fear of merit prevailing over manipulation,” Joseph wrote.
He insisted that no individual should be handed a party ticket without contest, regardless of age or past accomplishments.
2027 should be a contest, not coronation
According to Joseph, the 2027 presidential election should not be a pre-arranged affair where certain individuals are favoured behind closed doors. Instead, he called for transparent primaries that will test the vision, ideas, and capabilities of all aspirants.
“Those who truly believe they have the people’s mandate should not be scared of facing Atiku in an open contest. That is the essence of democracy — the people decide, not a few voices in smoky rooms.”
Age should not disqualify experience
Joseph rejected suggestions that Atiku is too old to run, stating that political maturity and experience are vital assets in a country as complex as Nigeria.
“Let’s stop making age a disqualifier when what we need is leadership that understands governance, the economy, and the people,” he said.
He added that if younger aspirants like Peter Obi or even Jonathan want to lead again, they should present themselves before the people through free and fair internal elections.
Message to opposition parties
Joseph urged parties like the PDP, ADC, and Labour Party to focus less on internal conflict and more on building a democratic structure that can challenge the APC.
“The opposition must learn from its past mistakes. Democracy is about choice, not coronation. Nigerians deserve more than recycled slogans and finger-pointing,” he said.
He stressed the importance of early preparation, party unity, and genuine grassroots mobilisation to win the trust of voters.
Conclusion
As Nigeria heads into a highly anticipated 2027 presidential election cycle, Alaibi Joseph’s message is clear: the opposition must earn its chance, not inherit it. The future of Nigerian democracy, he argues, depends on whether parties are bold enough to embrace transparency, competition, and genuine leadership selection processes.
