Lawyer Maxwell Opara has said the prospects of the ADC in the 2027 presidential election will depend heavily on its ability to manage internal democracy and resolve disputes arising from its primary elections.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News while discussing the emergence of leading presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 election, Opara argued that internal party management remains the biggest challenge facing opposition parties.
“ADC’s success in 2027 depends on internal party democracy,” he said.
According to Opara, the outcome of the election will be influenced not only by the popularity of candidates but also by how effectively political parties handle their internal affairs.
“Whether they will succeed has a lot to do with their own internal democracy,” he stated.
Opara said that many politicians joining ADC are defectors from other political parties, creating concerns about loyalty and long-term commitment to the party’s objectives.
“Majority of the people left APC and PDP to ADC,” he said.
He stated that the party must determine whether new entrants are committed to rebuilding Nigeria or merely seeking a platform to pursue personal political ambitions.
“Are they coming to rebuild Nigeria or just to use the platform?” he asked.
According to Opara, disagreements over candidate selection have already created difficulties within the party.
“They are having their own problems,” he stated.
He criticised the handling of primary elections, suggesting that consensus arrangements could help reduce tensions and disputes among aspirants.
“Why not go by consensus?” he said.
Opara explained that allowing aspirants to agree among themselves before primaries could help strengthen party unity and minimise post-primary conflicts.
“Let them do election among themselves,” he stated.
According to him, parties that fail to manage internal disputes effectively could weaken their chances against the ruling APC.
“The incumbent will have his way,” he said.
Opara emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enjoys the advantages of incumbency and possesses greater capacity to resolve internal party disputes.
“Their own problems can be resolved,” he stated while referring to the APC.
He maintained that opposition parties face a tougher challenge because they lack similar political leverage and resources.
“The people that have a lot of problems are the new party,” he said.
According to Opara, the quality of party structures and grassroots mobilisation will ultimately determine electoral success.
“It has to do with the people that you put on ground,” he stated.
He emphasized that credible party organisation is more important than regional considerations or political rhetoric.
“It has to do with internal party democracy,” he said.
Opara concluded that ADC’s prospects in the 2027 elections will depend largely on its ability to maintain internal cohesion, manage candidate selection disputes, and build strong grassroots structures capable of competing effectively against the ruling APC.
Ojo Triumph
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