Dare Tells Opposition Leaders: ‘Test Your Popularity in 2027, Not Now’
The Presidency has issued a challenge to opposition leaders who have been attacking President Bola Tinubu, urging them to wait until 2027 to test their political popularity. President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed the current criticisms from key opposition figures as premature.
Dare specifically called out former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi, saying they should hold off on their attacks until the next election cycle.
In a post shared on X, Dare pointed out that while President Tinubu was engaged in efforts to resolve Nigeria’s energy challenges in Dar es Salaam, opposition figures were unnecessarily stirring up political tension. “This is 2025, not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election,” Dare asserted.
Tinubu’s Spokesperson Fires Back at Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, El-Rufai, and Amaechi: “Wait for 2027”
The remarks from opposition leaders have drawn criticism in recent weeks. Atiku Abubakar, during a recent event in Abuja, accused the Tinubu-led APC of attempting to bribe opposition leaders with N50 million each to destabilize their ranks. El-Rufai also voiced dissatisfaction with the APC, stating that internal party democracy had collapsed, noting that no key party organs, such as the NEC or caucus meetings, had convened in over two years. He further suggested that the APC was functioning more like a one-man or zero-man show than a democratic political entity.
Similarly, Rotimi Amaechi, who has been vocal in his opposition to Tinubu’s leadership, called for “brutal force” to take over power in 2027, claiming that the president would not willingly relinquish power.
Presidency Calls Opposition Criticism Premature, Insists on 2027 for Election Showdown
Sunday Dare, responding to these mounting criticisms, dismissed the opposition’s attacks as premature and politically motivated. He emphasized that it was still early in Tinubu’s administration, with the next opportunity for opposition leaders to challenge the president coming in the 2027 elections.
The Presidency’s statement reflects a broader attempt to deflect criticism and redirect attention toward the administration’s ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s pressing issues, particularly in the energy sector.
Dare Tells Opposition Leaders: ‘Test Your Popularity in 2027, Not Now’
The presidency’s stance suggests that the current government is not willing to engage with the opposition’s criticisms at this point in time, urging that they wait until the electoral process in 2027 to test their political strength. This has further heightened the political tensions between the ruling party and opposition figures, all of whom are already looking ahead to future elections.
