By George Ozalla
The Acting National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will not secure a second term in office in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has the electoral strength to defeat the incumbent if presented as the opposition’s consensus candidate.
Speaking during an interview on national television, Ameh argued that Nigeria’s political dynamics have changed considerably since the 2023 general election, insisting that public dissatisfaction with the current administration has continued to grow as a result of the country’s economic challenges and rising hardship.
According to him, the prevailing economic situation, marked by high inflation, the increasing cost of living, unemployment and declining purchasing power, has significantly eroded public confidence in the present administration, creating a favourable atmosphere for political change ahead of the next general election.
Ameh maintained that Peter Obi remains the opposition figure with the widest national acceptance, stressing that his popularity is no longer limited to the South East but has spread across several states in both Northern and Southern Nigeria.
He argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election demonstrated his ability to attract support across religious, ethnic and regional divides, adding that the former Anambra State governor has continued to gain followers because many Nigerians perceive him as a credible, disciplined and prudent leader.
The Acting CUPP National Chairman further stated that available political indicators and grassroots engagements suggest that Obi would record impressive victories in several northern and southern states if the opposition succeeds in presenting a united front in 2027.
He contended that the next presidential election would not be determined solely by political structures or incumbency but by the electorate’s desire for competent leadership capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
Ameh also emphasised that opposition parties must set aside personal interests and build a formidable coalition around a candidate with nationwide appeal if they hope to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
He noted that Nigerians are becoming increasingly issue-driven and are expected to evaluate candidates based on their capacity to improve governance, revive the economy, strengthen institutions and restore public confidence in government.
While acknowledging that political alignments are still evolving ahead of the 2027 general election, Ameh insisted that the opposition has a realistic opportunity to defeat the ruling party if it remains united behind a credible presidential candidate. He maintained that the outcome of the election would ultimately depend on the choices Nigerians make at the polls and the ability of opposition parties to sustain a common front in pursuit of political change.
