2027’s wheel of power: Tinubu and the ADC quest

Once, in the vibrant heart of Lagos, a lone lion roared. His name was Bola Tinubu, the bold governor who stood tall as the sole champion of the Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC). With fierce resolve, he faced the mighty pride of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a juggernaut that held sway over half of Nigeria’s states. Tinubu, with cunning and courage, was a solitary force, a beacon of defiance in a land where power seemed to bow to one name. The PDP roared loud, but Tinubu’s growl echoed louder, carving a legacy in the sands of Lagos.

Now, the winds have shifted, and the tables have turned. Whispers ripple through Nigeria’s bustling streets, accusing Tinubu—now president—of weaving a one-party state, of stifling the voices that once challenged him. The irony hums like a quiet song: the lion who defied a giant now stands accused of caging the pride. Yet, politics is a game of spinning wheels, a dance where today’s hero may be tomorrow’s shadow. Tinubu, a master of this dance, has played the long game with the patience of a river carving stone. In politics, patience is the cheat code, the silent art that wins when swords clash and voices fade.

But lightning, they say, never strikes twice. Yet, a new pride gathers, bold and brash, under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). They are indeed a coalition of brilliant minds, although the media says they are aggrieved. They reject this theme potently. A coalition of political stars like Atiku Abubakar, with his seasoned stride; Peter Obi, the voice of the youth; Nasir El-Rufai, the strategist of the north; Rotimi Amaechi, the campaign maestro; and David Mark, the steady hand guiding the ship. They vow to do the impossible, to topple Tinubu, the lion who once toppled giants. But can they outwit a master at his own game?

Tinubu’s past is a tale of triumph. He was the anchor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the architect who forged a coalition that swept Goodluck Jonathan from power and crowned Muhammadu Buhari. That APC had a face, a northern star in Buhari, whose name drew votes like moths to flame. The ADC, though, lacks such a singular light. Each leader dreams of the presidency, their ambitions clashing like waves against a shore. Will Atiku, the veteran, step aside for El-Rufai’s sharp mind? Or will Obi’s fervent followers demand he lead? The question hangs heavy, unanswered in the humid air.

Nigeria’s heart beats with weariness. The people, hungry and burdened, care more for their empty stomachs than the political stage. The absence of a strong opposition has dulled their hope, leaving politics a distant drum. The APC’s victory in 2015 was bolstered by the G5 governors—Wike, Ortom, Ugwuanyi, Ikpeazu, and Makinde—who defected, lending muscle to the cause. The ADC, however, gathers retired titans: Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Aregbesola, and more, whose fire may have dimmed with time. Are they merely restless, stirring from the quiet of retirement, or do they truly believe they can fell today’s juggernaut?

Tinubu is no Jonathan, no timid soul to yield easily. His grip is firm, his moves calculated. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dances a curious waltz—clad in PDP colors yet working for the APC, sowing discord in his old home. The ADC’s challenge is steep. Without a figure like Buhari, whose name alone rallied millions, their coalition feels like a chorus without a lead singer. Their strategy remains a mystery, a puzzle yet to be solved. Will they find a unifying force, a new face to carry their banner, or are they simply playing for the thrill, biting without teeth?

The 2027 elections loom like a storm on the horizon. Will it be a thriller, a clash of titans, or an anticlimactic tale of dreams undone? The ADC’s pride is fierce, but Tinubu’s roar still echoes. Tables turn, as they always do, in the endless dance of power. Yet, to accuse Tinubu of crafting a one-party state is to miss the rhythm of politics. It is not malice but mastery that has brought him here. The ADC must find its own melody, a song to rival the lion’s roar, or risk fading into the twilight of Nigeria’s restless dreams.