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2027: NIGERIANS NEED NEW FACES, NOT SAME OLD FOLKS – LAOLU AKANDDE
As political realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, former presidential aide Laolu Akande has called for a departure from the recycling of familiar political figures and urged Nigerians to demand genuine alternatives grounded in policy and reform.
Appearing on Thursday’s edition of Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, Akande expressed concern over the state of opposition politics in Nigeria, stating that while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has its shortcomings, it remains more structurally prepared to contest and retain power than its opposition counterparts.
“We need new faces, but they still have old folks,” Akande said.
According to him, the opposition continues to fall back on tired political tropes and personalities that do not inspire confidence or offer clear alternatives.
“The characters at the forefront are not the ones that can get the job done. Nigerians would not be inspired by the same old personal vendetta politics,” he added.
His comments come on the heels of a remark by Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 vice-presidential candidate, who recently said his principal, Peter Obi, could run without him in 2027.
Akande suggested that this public statement signals internal disarray within the LP.
“If the coalition is serious, Datti should be at the forefront to assure Nigerians of real change,” Akande remarked, questioning the party’s unity and readiness.
He also criticized the opposition’s lack of a coherent manifesto and a strong leadership identity. “I think APC has better arrangements,” he stated. “While the APC has issues, the opposition appears disorganized and without a clear political identity.”
Akande pointed out that the opposition seems more focused on unseating President Bola Tinubu than on offering viable policy alternatives, which he said weakens their credibility with voters.
“The opposition has allowed a dominant narrative to thrive—one that appears fixated on removing President Bola Tinubu without presenting viable policy alternatives,” he said.
Addressing developments within the APC, Akande acknowledged ongoing internal restructuring and suggested that the anticipated appointment of a new national chairman could help President Tinubu unify the party ahead of 2027.
“I think it is reasonable that there would be a new chairman today,” he said, referencing Wednesday’s high-level APC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“There’s a visible onslaught toward the APC, but it’s easier to see where things are headed within the ruling party,” he added, emphasizing that internal unity remains key to the APC’s electoral future.
Akande also called for more civic engagement and issue-driven politics, urging political leaders and parties to focus on Nigeria’s core challenges such as poverty alleviation, anti-corruption reforms, and institutional strengthening.
