Dantalle: Opposition Parties Must Prioritise National Interest for 2027 Polls

Yusuf Dantalle, who serves as both the National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has issued a call to action for Nigeria's opposition parties. He stressed the critical need for them to transcend individual aspirations and collectively prioritise the nation's welfare above all personal considerations, especially as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Dantalle's comments were made in response to observations by former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, who had highlighted what he termed the 'desperation' prevalent among Nigerian politicians and their inclination to place private agendas ahead of the country's collective good.

Dantalle largely concurred with Duke's assessment, stating, “What His Excellency Donald Duke said, I agree with him to some extent, especially about our desperation.” He reiterated his long-held belief that this desperation raises fundamental questions about the true motivation behind seeking political office: “Is it to serve the people, or for your personal interest?” He clarified the stance of the G100, affirming, “What the G100 is saying, we have our individual interests, but Nigeria comes first.”

Emphasising the gravity of the current national situation, Dantalle remarked, “We have never had it so bad in Nigeria as it is today.” He articulated a vision for a government formed through collaboration, where major parties could unite to create an administration that represents diverse interests, moving away from a 'winner takes all and loser loses all' mentality.

He also challenged the notion that opposition parties lack governmental presence, respectfully disagreeing with such a viewpoint. Dantalle pointed to his own party's two governors in Oyo and Bauchi states as concrete evidence of the opposition's involvement in governance, inviting verification of their achievements.

Speaking in his capacity as IPAC National Chairman, Dantalle elaborated on the council's mandate. He explained that IPAC encourages political parties to pursue power responsibly, while simultaneously striving to de-escalate political tensions. He underlined the importance for all political actors to conduct themselves with decorum and strictly adhere to legal frameworks, stating, “So that has been the deliberate position of the Inter-Party Advisory Council: seek power, but with decorum, work within the confines of the law.”

Expressing strong confidence in the eventual emergence of a single candidate from the opposition coalition, the APM national chairman revealed that technical committees are currently addressing the strategic concerns required to achieve this objective. He assured that the coalition is committed to developing a unique solution tailored to Nigeria's specific political context, adding, “But I’m very confident that this coalition will come up with something that Nigerians will be surprised.”

Addressing concerns about the perceived weakness of opposition parties, Dantalle attributed this largely to intentional efforts by certain individuals in power. He accused them of leveraging their positions to undermine political parties they perceive as potential threats, often through judicial means. He asserted that the significant damage inflicted on political parties has been deliberate, not merely a result of the opposition's inability to unite, but rather “orchestrated plans by a few individuals who are in power to ensure that these do not stand.”

To address systemic weaknesses, Dantalle called for crucial reforms to strengthen key institutions, including the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He stressed the necessity of protecting their independence and enhancing their capacity to uphold established rules.

Regarding the timeline for presenting the coalition's campaign plans to Nigerians, Dantalle noted that there are still several months before official campaigning can commence, indicating ample time for the coalition to finalise its strategies. When asked about the possibility of the coalition failing to produce a single candidate, he declined to speculate, deeming it premature to comment before the designated committee concludes its work.