Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has thrown a sharp political challenge at leaders of the African Democratic Congress, declaring that the opposition coalition cannot be taken seriously ahead of the 2027 general elections until it presents clear, people-focused alternatives to the policies of the Federal Government.
Dogara, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, made the remarks while speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, where he dismissed what he described as the ADC’s reliance on anger-driven rhetoric rather than coherent policy proposals capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
According to him, the opposition has failed to articulate a compelling vision that resonates with ordinary Nigerians or distinguishes it from the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He argued that criticism alone, no matter how loud, cannot substitute for well-thought-out alternatives that improve lives.
“I haven’t heard the discussion centering on the people. All I hear is anger about one or two things. What vision or idea are they rallying behind? I have yet to see that,” Dogara said.
He stressed that Nigerians expect more than complaints from those seeking power, insisting that the ADC must outline policies superior to the ongoing reforms of the Tinubu administration before it can earn public confidence.
“Until they bring alternatives to what the President is doing, and we look at them critically and see that they are better than what we have, we cannot take them seriously. Without that, it is just gimmicks that will take them nowhere,” he added.
The ADC recently emerged as the platform of a broad opposition coalition adopted in July 2025, bringing together prominent political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-ministers Rotimi Amaechi and Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark. The coalition has vowed to wrest power from the APC in 2027, citing worsening economic hardship and rising poverty across the country.
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However, Dogara dismissed what he called rhetorical attacks on the government, urging opposition leaders to move beyond emotional outbursts and present workable solutions to Nigeria’s long-standing problems.
Turning to the performance of the current administration, the former Speaker called on Nigerians to exercise patience with the Tinubu-led reforms, particularly in the areas of security and economic recovery. He noted that many of the challenges confronting the country developed over several years and cannot be resolved overnight.
“There is nobody with a magical wand that can make everything disappear instantly. But from the time President Tinubu assumed office until now, we have seen leadership in areas that were previously neglected,” Dogara said, expressing confidence that the country is on the right path despite present difficulties.
As political alignments intensify ahead of 2027, Dogara’s comments underscore a growing debate over whether Nigeria’s opposition can move beyond criticism and present a credible policy-driven alternative capable of unseating the APC.
