In a bold and unapologetic stance, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, issuing a strong warning to what it described as "self-appointed leaders of the North" allegedly scheming to undermine the presidency and upend the time-honoured zoning arrangement that has guided Nigeria’s democracy since 1999.
The OPC’s General Secretary, Bunmi Fasehun, in a statement on Monday, accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and other northern political figures of spearheading efforts to truncate Tinubu’s constitutional tenure. Fasehun warned that any attempt to scuttle the power rotation principle for selfish political expeditions would be met with firm resistance.
“Embittered souls now calling for Asiwaju’s premature ouster should take note of the rotational principle that the entire country embraced and which has made government inclusive and equitable since 1999. That principle must not be endangered for the selfish interest of political adventurists like Hameed Baba-Ahmed and Nasir El-Rufai,” he said.
This stern warning came hours after news emerged that El-Rufai held a private meeting with former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as part of his ongoing moves to build a coalition against Tinubu ahead of 2027.
The OPC, which boasts over 10 million members and supporters across the country, vowed not to remain silent while a few desperate power mongers threaten national unity. Fasehun reminded Nigerians of Tinubu’s pivotal role in helping the North reclaim power in 2015.
“No one can obliterate the historical role that Asiwaju played in returning the presidency to the North in 2015 by working against a sitting President from the South. For the first time in Nigerian history, an opposition party won a presidential election,” the OPC stated. “Evidently, Tinubu mobilised his South-West to vote massively for Buhari in both elections.”
The group described Tinubu as a product of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, comparing him to global statesman and freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela.
“Like the OPC and our Founder, the Late Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Tinubu played a formidable role in NADECO, the ultimate vehicle for our country’s democratic struggle, both at home and abroad. Like Nelson Mandela, Tinubu is the first Nigerian President in this Fourth Republic to emerge from the trenches of the struggle against military rule,” Fasehun noted.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s present economic and security challenges, OPC called for patience and understanding from citizens, noting that the President inherited a difficult situation.
“People must remember that Tinubu inherited the current security and economic challenges; and the lingering situation must be weighed against the backdrop of the fact that the regime has been in the saddle for only two years. We must be patient.”
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s closed-door meeting with Malami continues to fuel speculations of an impending political realignment. Malami, a prominent figure in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), revealed in a Facebook post that their discussion focused on “the unity, peace, and progress of our dear country.”
Reports indicate that the CPC bloc may be exploring an alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other opposition stalwarts to mount a formidable challenge against Tinubu.
However, these moves have not gone uncontested. On April 16, former CPC members led by ex-Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura dissociated themselves from the anti-Tinubu sentiment, reaffirming their loyalty to the President and the APC. Malami, in a swift response, dismissed Al-Makura’s authority to speak for the CPC bloc.
In a twist of loyalty and rebuke, the Forum of State Chairmen, Senators, and Honourables of the defunct CPC also lashed out at Malami and reiterated their support for President Tinubu, exposing the deepening cracks within the supposed northern opposition coalition.
With political temperatures rising ahead of 2027, the OPC’s declaration sends a clear message: any attempt to destabilize the presidency or subvert the zoning consensus will be fiercely resisted by the South-West and allies loyal to the principle of equity, justice, and national cohesion.