By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

The Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA) says 2027 will witness unusual political developments, fuelled by shifting alliances and increased youth and women participation across party lines.

NYFA’s Director General, Dare Dada, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the defection of the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

NAN reports that some opposition political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have adopted ADC as a political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Reacting to Obi’s defection, Dada said that Nigeria’s political dynamics would not favour the ruling party in 2027 presidential election with current realignment of gladiators.

“2027 will be a year of unusual political occurrences. A man who is adjudged a political strategist or genius will likely end up spending a single term,” he said.

According to him, Nigerians are becoming more politically conscious and less tolerant of governance failures.

He said that performance, credibility and inclusiveness would shape electoral outcomes going forward.

Dada said the emerging coalition within the ADC should not be views purely from the political prism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Obi, noting that the movement was bigger than personalities.

Dada said: “It is very surprising that people still see this coalition only from the Atiku or Obi angle.

“The party and the coalition are bigger than Atiku and Obi, even though we cannot deny the fact that they are major political factors within the ADC.”

According to him, three major political blocs currently dominate the ADC coalition, cutting across regional, generational and ideological lines.

“Within the ADC, there are three major groups that now shape the coalition.

"We have the Atikulates, the Obidients and the Buharists, who were mobilised and used in the last election and later dumped,” he said.

Dada said the strength of the coalition lay in its nationwide spread and its appeal to the youth and women.

“These groups do not only have strong political bases across the length and breadth of Nigeria, their support also cuts across age demographics.

“The youths and women remain the most vibrant segments of this movement, and they are increasingly determined to take back their country,” he added.

He stressed that the 2027 elections would not follow the familiar political script, warning that entrenched political assumptions were already being challenged.

Dada urged political actors to focus on issue-based engagements rather than personality-driven politics.

He noted that the evolving coalition reflected a broader demand for accountability, inclusion and national renewal. (NAN)