Ohikere: Opposition Must Build Grassroots Structure To Defeat APC In 2027
A member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) media team, Dr Tom Ohikere, has said the opposition parties must move beyond meetings and press statements to build strong grassroots structures if they hope to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Ohikere noted that the division of opposition votes among Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in the 2023 presidential election gave the APC an advantage, stressing that the current realignment within the opposition could change the political equation in 2027.
Speaking during a media interaction in Lokoja on Monday, Ohikere said, “If opposition unites, APC cannot survive 2027,” arguing that the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians would make it difficult for the ruling party to campaign effectively.
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He, however, cautioned opposition politicians against relying solely on elite meetings in Abuja, saying the ADC and other opposition parties must urgently establish structures down to the wards and polling units. “APC has structure. Opposition must build structure, not just press statements,” he stated.
On the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Ohikere criticised the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira in one fell swoop, arguing that the policies had increased hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the reforms have not translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly in areas of transportation, food prices, electricity, healthcare and education.
Ohikere questioned the impact of the savings reportedly accruing to the federal government from subsidy removal, asking why Nigerians were yet to see corresponding improvements in infrastructure and public services.
He said, “A real reform must have human face,” adding that the federal government should prioritise functioning refineries, stable electricity and reduction in food prices if Nigerians were to have confidence in its economic policies.
The former commissioner also urged Nigerians to make their choice in 2027 based on issues affecting their welfare rather than ethnic, religious or financial considerations.
“2027 is not about APC, PDP or ADC. It is about your stomach and your children’s future. Don’t vote because someone gave you N5,000 or because he is from your tribe. Vote because you want fuel to be affordable, schools to work, and Kogi to be united,” he said.
On the Kogi governorship, Ohikere renewed his call for the rotation of power to Kogi West in 2027, saying equity and fairness demanded that the senatorial district should produce the next governor.
He noted that since 1999, Kogi East had produced governors for 16 years, while Kogi Central would have produced governors for 12 years by 2027, leaving Kogi West without an elected governor since the creation of the state.
“My position is simple arithmetic and simple justice. Since 1999, Kogi East has done 16 years. Kogi Central by 2027 would have done 12 years. Kogi West has done zero. Not one day as elected governor since creation,” he said.
Ohikere, who is from Kogi Central, said his advocacy for Kogi West was not motivated by personal interest, but by the need to promote equity and unity among the three senatorial districts.
He also dismissed the argument that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo should be allowed to complete a second term before power rotation is considered, saying although the Constitution permits two terms, political leadership also requires sacrifice for the sake of unity and posterity.
According to him, allowing Kogi Central to voluntarily support the emergence of a governor from Kogi West in 2027 would demonstrate political maturity and help strengthen the unity of the state.
“Governor Ododo is my brother from Central. He is doing his best. He is a young man with good intentions and I wish him well. There is nothing personal. But governance is not about personal liking. It is about precedent and posterity,” he said.
Ohikere warned that insisting on continuous control of the governorship by one senatorial district could create resentment and undermine the principle of rotation.
“If Central sacrifices now and allows West in 2027, history will forever remember Central as the zone that united Kogi. That is bigger than one more term. I support what will keep Kogi one. And that is West in 2027,” he added.
Ohikere, a journalist, author, public relations consultant and public affairs analyst, served as Kogi State commissioner for information twice under different administrations. He is currently the chief executive officer of TAEEIAI Media Limited and consults for political organisations across the country.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 5th, 2026
