…unveils new coalition ahead 2027

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A former Minister of Power and Steel, Wole Oyelese, has berated Nigeria’s political elite for what he described as a sustained focus on “self-aggrandizement, internal power struggles, and elite consensus,” to the detriment of the masses grappling with deepening economic hardship.

Oyelese, who is convening the emerging “Masses Coalition for Nigeria”, raised the alarm over what he termed a growing grassroots political awakening, capable of reshaping the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement, made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the former minister said the coalition was born out of widespread frustration among Nigerians, over the persistent neglect of ordinary citizens by the political class.

“Across party lines and ideological divides, one painful reality stands out today: no one is truly fighting for the masses of this country,” he declared.

He further lamented that, “no political party has put consideration of the masses on the front burner, beyond rhetorics.”

Oyelese maintained that the grassroots, which he described as “where the real Nigeria resides,” have continued to bear the brunt of economic mismanagement and poor governance.

“The grassroots are left to suffer the harshest consequences of economic hardship due to mismanagement and poor governance,” he said.

Warning of the implications of continued neglect, Oyelese noted that rising hardship has become a permanent condition for many Nigerians, fueling quiet but significant social shifts.

“When the pains of the people are consistently ignored, society does not collapse overnight, it quietly reorganizes. The masses may be scattered, but they are not powerless.”

He warned further that ignoring citizens under worsening socio-economic conditions amounts to “sitting on a moral volcano” that must not be allowed to erupt.

Clarifying the mission of the coalition, Oyelese stressed that the movement is not aimed at destabilizing the country or confronting existing political institutions, but rather at promoting inclusiveness and people-oriented governance.

“The Masses Coalition for Nigeria is neither anti-government nor anti-party. It is pro-people,” he said. “It seeks to restore balance to a political space that has become heavily tilted towards elite comfort at the expense of grassroots survival.”

Describing the initiative as a “credible third force,” Oyelese said the coalition intends to fill a longstanding vacuum in Nigeria’s political system.

“Nigeria has waited long for a credible third force—one that speaks calmly, organizes responsibly, and places the masses at the centre of national discourse. The Masses Coalition for Nigeria is emerging to fill that void,” he added.

He, however, warned that continued neglect of citizens’ welfare poses a serious threat to national stability.

“A nation remains strong only when its people feel seen, valued, and included,” he said. “This is not a threat to the state, nor a call to unrest. It is a warning drawn from history and reason—that persistent neglect of the masses carries grave implications for social cohesion and national stability.”

Oyelese emphasized that the coalition is driven by necessity rather than ambition, with a clear focus on redirecting governance towards “justice, inclusion, and genuine service to the people.”