I may not like Tinubu, but I’ll support him instead of having the country run by the North– Ononuju

Katch Ononuju, the Director-General of the Heritage Centre, has provided a critical analysis of the current political situation in Nigeria, especially in light of the formation of opposition coalitions aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in the 2027 election. Ononuju, who has extensive experience in political analysis, argues that the opposition coalition spearheaded by figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi is unlikely to succeed. According to him, the coalition is an amalgamation of diverse political factions that are more likely to clash than unite.

According to Daily Post, Ononuju’s pessimism about the coalition’s prospects stems from what he sees as a more significant underlying issue: the ongoing Fulani conflict, which has spread across the Sahel and now threatens to destabilize Nigeria. He suggests that the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not necessarily an endorsement of Tinubu’s policies, but rather a response to the broader insecurity that stems from the Fulani insurgency. This conflict, according to Ononuju, has become a central issue influencing political alignments and is contributing to the fragmentation of Nigerian politics.

One of Ononuju’s key points is that the APC’s dominance is not solely the result of its policies, but because political leaders, particularly in the South, are aligning with Tinubu’s party as a protective measure against the growing security threats. He highlights that governors from southern states, while not necessarily in agreement with Tinubu’s leadership, are making pragmatic decisions based on the urgent need to address these security challenges. This dynamic has led to a historical shift in party loyalties, with figures like Ifeanyi Okowa and Sheriff Oborevwori defecting from the PDP to the APC.

Ononuju criticizes the PDP for its failure to uphold the zoning agreement, which he believes is vital for national unity and stability. He argues that the PDP’s disregard for this convention—specifically its handling of the 2023 presidential election—has alienated many Nigerians, particularly those from the South. Ononuju contends that this failure to respect zoning is a major reason why the opposition is struggling to gain traction, as Nigerians are unwilling to accept a political system that ignores inclusivity and fairness in power distribution.

According to Ononuju, the issue of political inclusion is crucial for Nigeria’s future. He asserts that the persistence of a Fulani-dominated political system, as seen during the Buhari administration, has fostered resentment across the country. For Ononuju, the unwillingness of Fulani politicians to share power is a key obstacle to national cohesion.

He suggests that Nigerians, particularly from the South, would rather see Tinubu remain in power than allow another Fulani leader to dominate the political scene. He argues that the challenges posed by the Fulani conflict, combined with the PDP’s internal issues and the broader quest for political inclusivity, make it unlikely that any coalition will effectively unseat the APC in 2027.

According to him, “I may not like Tinubu’s policies, but I would support him instead of having the country run into another Fulani man’s hands. So, the idea of us having nation-building means that you must open yourself to inclusion.”