A New Lease of Life
By Mahmud Shuaibu Ringim
The exit polls from Israel’s elections have revealed a significant shift in political fortunes for the Likud Party and its ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. This development could pose a serious challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s continued leadership, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and the prolonged conflict that followed.
The hard-line right-wing policies pursued by Netanyahu’s government, coupled with its continued reliance on military confrontation, have raised serious questions about Israel’s prospects for lasting peace. After years of conflict and instability, many Israelis yearn for a return to normalcy and an environment in which they can live without fear. The pursuit of security should not be divorced from the need for peaceful coexistence with neighbouring peoples.
Israel may eventually witness a political realignment that brings more moderate political forces to the forefront, much as Brazil has experienced shifts in political leadership between opposing ideological camps. A renewed emphasis on diplomacy, social stability and peaceful coexistence could offer Israel a new direction.
In Nigeria, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, faces a formidable challenge ahead of the 2027 general elections. The economic consequences of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda have placed enormous pressure on households, significantly reducing the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians and making it increasingly difficult for many families to put food on the table.
Hunger and insecurity have become defining features of the national experience, spreading across the country with devastating consequences for livelihoods and economic productivity. Farmers face persistent security threats, while rising production costs and the deteriorating economic conditions have compounded the hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
The abrupt removal of the petroleum subsidy, without adequate cushioning measures to protect vulnerable citizens, has contributed to a sharp increase in the cost of living. The resulting inflationary pressures, combined with weak economic growth in critical sectors, have intensified the hardship experienced by households and businesses alike. For many Nigerians, the promise of economic recovery remains distant, while the daily struggle to survive has become increasingly overwhelming.
Equally troubling is the failure to deliver on the promise of uninterrupted electricity supply. President Tinubu had pledged to make reliable electricity a defining measure of his administration’s performance, even suggesting that his political future would depend on the outcome. Yet, the persistent electricity crisis continues to undermine industrial productivity, discourage investment and impose additional costs on businesses and households.
These developments could significantly influence the electorate’s choices in 2027. Nigerians are becoming increasingly conscious of the power of their votes and the need to assess political leaders on the basis of performance rather than sentiment. The religious considerations surrounding the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023 may not carry the same political weight in the next election. Voters are likely to demand more convincing answers to questions of economic survival, security, employment and national development.
The opposition therefore has an opportunity to present a credible alternative to the APC. A merger or strategic coalition among opposition parties could provide the platform necessary to challenge the ruling party effectively. However, such an arrangement must be founded on a shared programme of national renewal, rather than being driven solely by the ambition to dislodge the incumbent government.
A united opposition could replicate, in some respects, the political strategy that brought an end to the PDP’s 16-year dominance at the federal level in 2015. At that time, opposition parties overcame their differences to form the APC, which successfully challenged the incumbent administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Political actors who contributed to divisions within the PDP, including prominent figures who later aligned with the APC, played significant roles in reshaping the political landscape. The experience demonstrates that political dominance is never permanent and that a ruling party can lose power when public dissatisfaction converges with an effective opposition strategy.
The APC’s promises of job creation, employment generation and wealth creation must also be examined against the realities confronting Nigerians. Despite the administration’s reform agenda, many citizens continue to struggle with unemployment, declining purchasing power and limited economic opportunities. Rather than experiencing the anticipated prosperity, numerous households have been pushed deeper into poverty and dependence on assistance from relatives, communities and other informal support networks.
Against this backdrop, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar presents himself as an experienced political alternative. His supporters can point to his eight years as Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which he played a significant role in the administration’s economic reform efforts and privatisation programme.
The Obasanjo administration recorded notable achievements, including Nigeria’s debt relief secured from the Paris and London Clubs of creditors, as well as efforts to attract domestic and foreign investment. The period also witnessed the expansion of major indigenous enterprises, including Dangote Industries, alongside investments by other Nigerian entrepreneurs. Atiku’s role in the administration, particularly his involvement in the privatisation process, remains an important part of his political record.
Atiku is also a veteran of Nigeria’s democratic struggle. His political experience dates back to the People’s Front movement associated with the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, which played a role in the political developments that preceded the return to civilian rule in 1999. His subsequent rise through the ranks of national politics has given him extensive experience in party organisation, coalition-building and electoral contests.
Over the years, Atiku has established himself as a familiar figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, with a presence across different regions and political constituencies. His experience, however, must be matched by a convincing policy agenda that addresses the country’s present realities. Nigerians need more than political pedigree; they need credible solutions to insecurity, unemployment, inflation, unreliable electricity and the erosion of living standards.
The eight years of the Obasanjo administration saw Atiku occupy a central position in the federal executive, working alongside the President in steering the affairs of the country. Although the administration’s record remains open to debate, its economic reforms and debt-relief achievements continue to feature prominently in discussions about Nigeria’s development trajectory.
Any opposition coalition seeking an outright victory in 2027 must therefore make difficult but necessary decisions about leadership, candidate selection and the distribution of political responsibilities. If Atiku Abubakar is to emerge as its presidential flag bearer, his candidacy must be supported by a clear programme, an inclusive political structure and a genuine commitment to addressing the needs of ordinary Nigerians. Equally, the coalition must be prepared to reconcile competing interests and demonstrate that it can govern effectively.
The task of defeating the APC in 2027 is undoubtedly formidable, but it is not beyond the reach of a united and purposeful opposition. Achieving this objective will require strategic coordination, political maturity and a willingness to place national interest above individual ambition. All hands must be on deck if the electorate is to be offered a credible alternative capable of restoring public confidence in democratic governance.
Ultimately, the 2027 elections should be about more than the personalities competing for the presidency. They should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reconsider the direction of their country and demand a government that prioritises human welfare, economic opportunity, national security and social justice.
Nigeria is in dire need of a new lease of life. Its citizens deserve the opportunity to breathe freely again, unburdened by the suffocating effects of economic hardship and insecurity. The promise of democracy lies in its capacity to give people a voice, hold leaders accountable and make peaceful political change possible.
For millions of Nigerians, the central question is whether the 2027 elections will usher in a new chapter of hope or perpetuate the difficulties of the present. The answer will depend not only on the opposition’s ability to unite, but also on the electorate’s willingness to make informed choices at the ballot box.
A new lease of life is possible, but it must begin with credible leadership, sound economic policies and a renewed commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian people.
mahmudshuaibu@gmail.com
