Alhaji Buba Galadima has declared that President Bola Tinubu faces a resounding defeat in the 2027 presidential election, regardless of who his challenger may be.
“Even if there is no living human being in Nigeria and we bring a corpse in a coffin and put it against President Tinubu, I assure you that that corpse will win the election in 2027,” Galadima said.
The elder statesman and former ally of Muhammadu Buhari made these remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the National Convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Allegations of Intimidation
Galadima praised the ADC for successfully holding its convention despite what he described as “threats and intimidation” from the government. He alleged that there were last-minute attempts to frustrate the gathering by pressuring the owners of the venue.
“Yesterday around 1 a.m., we received a message that the venue acquired for this convention was cancelled. The owner was reportedly threatened by the powers that be that if he allowed us to use the facility, they would revoke his Certificate of Occupancy,” Galadima claimed.
Despite the pressure, the organizers resolved to proceed. “The person with whom I was sitting asked for my opinion, and I said that even if Abuja were to burn to ashes today, we would hold this convention in this hall. And so we did,” he added.
A ‘Test Case’ for the Opposition
The politician characterized the hosting of the convention as a litmus test for the resolve of the opposition. He warned that if the government’s alleged interference is not resisted, further restrictions on democratic space could follow.
“This is a test ground. Had we not held this convention today, they might not even allow us to campaign in Nigeria,” he said. “It is important that nobody in this country sets the pace for our political behavior. We must assert ourselves, whether they like it or not.”
Targeted Weakening of Parties
Galadima further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a campaign to destabilize major opposition platforms. He listed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), and the ADC as primary targets of these efforts.
“We have seen that the APC and its government have tried to destroy the PDP, the SDP, the NNPP, the Labour Party, and indeed the ADC,” he stated.
Concluding his address, Galadima urged opposition supporters to remain steadfast and resilient, insisting that the ruling party is not invincible.
“Any attempt to intimidate or frustrate us must be met with a firm ‘no.’ It is only our resilience, boldness, and courage that will deliver us,” he said.
