Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has dismissed the newly formed political coalition targeting the 2027 presidency as a doomed mission, arguing that its attempt to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is nothing more than a temporary distraction that should be ignored.
He described the alliance, which recently aligned itself with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as lacking in purpose, direction, and public appeal.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists and political stakeholders in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that Nigerians will continue to rally behind President Tinubu to fully realise the benefits of the administration’s reform-driven governance.
According to him, “Nigerians will never go back to Egypt,” an expression implying that the country has moved past regressive leadership and would not return to it under any guise.
The governor claimed that the real objective behind the coalition was to derail the significant economic and social progress recorded under Tinubu’s leadership. He said, “The target is to distract the Commander-in-Chief and derail the social and economic gains that we can see and feel, but President Tinubu knows the game and will never fall for their bait.”
The opposition group, which includes notable political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and his Osun State counterpart Rauf Aregbesola, has been criticized by some within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as an alliance fueled by discontent rather than ideology.
Sanwo-Olu maintained that President Tinubu’s performance, both in policy execution and reform delivery, makes him stand tall above any negative narrative crafted to dent his chances ahead of the next election cycle.
He highlighted several initiatives of the current administration including the stabilisation of the foreign exchange market, implementation of a students loan scheme, rollout of large-scale infrastructural projects, increased state revenue following the removal of fuel subsidies, significant tax reforms, growth in oil output, and the newly proposed national minimum wage.
“President Tinubu is not only a builder of men but a visionary leader whose impact is evident across the nation,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
When asked if the APC was in any way concerned about the activities of the ADC and its coalition members, the governor responded firmly: “No one should be concerned or distracted by what ADC or any other group is attempting to orchestrate. The truth is clear, the people can see the difference, and history is on his side. They have nothing but bitterness to offer; they are bound together by their illogical resentment against President Tinubu, not by any edifying ideology. They will run out of steam.”
Offering advice to the President amid growing rhetoric from opposition camps, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for focus and resilience. “Simple. The President should stay the course. Millions of well-meaning Nigerians across party lines and compatriots, who understand what it takes to govern the most populous black nation on earth and revive a troubled economy, are behind him and trust his leadership.”
He concluded by encouraging Nigerians to maintain calm and trust the current administration’s vision, urging continued support and patience while reforms are consolidated for long-term impact.
What you should know
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s remarks come at a time when political coalitions are beginning to shape the tone of the 2027 election discourse. His defense of President Tinubu reflects growing confidence within the APC that ongoing reforms and governance strategies will be enough to secure public trust against emerging political alliances.
