…says opposition parties should offer Nigerians policy alternatives

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, has rejected the idea of an opposition consensus presidential candidate formed merely to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election, describing such an arrangement as strategically weak and potentially harmful to Nigeria’s democratic development.

Okereke, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tribune, said any genuine opposition collaboration should be anchored on a clearly defined policy agenda, measurable manifesto and governance vision, rather than an attempt by political actors to gang up against the incumbent. 

He said the proposed G100 initiative should instead mobilise Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process and make informed choices.

According to him, “We should not subscribe to forming consensus merely to defeat someone else. That itself is not strategic.” 

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He added that if G100 exists, its focus should be on “championing credible policy alternatives with a manifesto that is measurable and costed” while mobilising Nigerians to participate in politics.

The LP candidate expressed reservations about selecting one candidate from the 21 presidential candidates already nominated by different political parties, arguing that each party has constitutional structures and rights that must be respected. 

“Twenty-one presidential candidates means 21 political parties and 21 different National Working Committees, National Executive Committees and other critical structures of parties that are based on constitutionalism,” he said.

While warning that any attempt to use an undemocratic process for political advantage could result in distrust and betrayal among participating parties, Dr. Okereke, however observed that parties could reach out to one another and make individual cases for support, noting that a formal merger was no longer possible at this stage of the electoral process.

Dr. Okereke maintained that the Nigerian electorate should ultimately determine which candidate or political arrangement succeeds. “The aggregate of Nigerian voters would be the ultimate decider of any arrangements,” he said, while positioning the Labour Party as a platform focused on human capital development, social justice and equal opportunity.

On reconciling competing presidential ambitions, he said political parties and candidates could voluntarily agree to support another candidate on patriotic or compassionate grounds, noting that there had been instances where parties agreed to zone tickets or support candidates from other political platforms.

He, however, insisted that such decisions must be driven by the interests of Nigerians, saying “Where we are in our democratic journey, we must put people first before politics and power,” he said.

The Labour Party Presidential candidate also dismissed the possibility of legally compelling presidential candidates to withdraw from the 2027 race in favour of a consensus candidate, saying such an arrangement could only amount to a political or “gentlemen’s agreement” with no basis in law. He noted that the deadline for withdrawal and substitution of candidates under the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable had elapsed on August 22, 2026.

“No presidential candidate can legally withdraw now,” Okereke said, adding that there would be no legally binding guarantee for any political arrangement reached after the deadline.

He also questioned the sustainability of a coalition of opposition parties after an election, citing the experience of the All Progressives Congress, which emerged from several political tendencies, including elements of the APGA, CPC, ACN, New PDP and ANPP.

He recalled the subsequent disputes and allegations of marginalisation among some of the groups, arguing that alliances should be founded on a shared developmental vision rather than the sharing of political offices.

“Sometimes how to share the spoils of victory causes more division than nursing the pain of loss, which can unify sometimes better,” he said, insisting that Nigeria’s multiparty democracy should provide citizens with variety and choice.

On concerns that a coalition formed primarily to defeat the ruling party could reproduce the same governance problems once in power, Okereke said the promoters of the proposed coalition should provide answers. He reiterated that no meaningful coalition should be established simply to remove an incumbent, insisting that Nigerians must remain the central consideration.

He said Nigerians should be empowered to make informed electoral decisions rather than allowing political elites to determine the country’s political direction. Describing himself as representing “a new chapter” in Nigerian politics, Okereke said his “Nigerians First Vision” would focus on innovation, expanding opportunities, improving areas where the current administration had recorded successes and addressing existing gaps.

He therefore urged Nigerians to embrace what he called “a breath of fresh air” and use the 2027 election to choose a new direction for the country.