By Tunde Oso

ABUJA – Former militant leader and Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Akpodoro, has declared that the opposition coalition recently formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election lacks the political weight to succeed.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Akpodoro dismissed the group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as a “coalition of power mongers” more concerned with political survival than national interest.

He accused the opposition of being comprised of “strange bedfellows” who were roundly defeated in the 2023 presidential election and now seek to regain relevance through desperate alliances.

“Members of the so-called coalition have no genuine interest in the wellbeing of Nigerians. What we are witnessing is an insurrection by those who failed the people when they had power,” Akpodoro said.

He cited examples of some coalition leaders who, despite holding prominent positions in the past, failed to deliver tangible development in their respective states. “One of them couldn’t even complete a rail project despite serving as a two-term governor and Speaker of a State Assembly for eight years,” he said.

The ex-militant described their renewed efforts as mere “clout chasing” aimed at seizing power at all costs, rather than offering meaningful alternatives to Nigerians.

“From the start of this administration, there have been attempts to discredit the Renewed Hope agenda. But the opposition is made up of familiar faces, including some who told Nigerians that ‘telephone is not for the poor.’ These are individuals under whom their states knew no peace,” he added.

Akpodoro insisted that Nigerians are still solidly behind President Tinubu and his administration, and would not be swayed by recycled politicians with no proven track record of development.

“Nigerians want continuity and completion of the current administration’s policies and programmes. The 2027 coalition has no capacity to stop that,” he declared.