As we inch closer to the 2027 general elections, the writing on the wall is glaring: we are running out of time, and yet, the urgency that should accompany this moment is sorely lacking. Less than two years remain before Nigerians head back to the polls, but where is the energy, the preparation, and the determination to chart a different course for this nation? It is almost as though we are content with repeating history, comfortable in our online activism and do-nothing attitude. If this remains our posture, then 2027 will simply be a replay of the past—another cycle of regret and dashed hopes.
Let’s take stock of where we stand today. Where is the functional or active opposition? Where are the coalitions of progressive minds willing to rally Nigerians around a vision of transformation? Where are the loud, uncompromising voices demanding a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or at least reforms to its structure and processes? Where are the calls for constitutional amendments that would make the system more transparent, accountable, and reflective of the people’s will? Why are we not clamoring for electoral law reforms to prevent the manipulation of results, vote-buying, and other malpractices that have plagued our democracy for decades?
Instead, we find comfort in Twitter trends, WhatsApp broadcasts, and Facebook rants, fooling ourselves into believing that virtual noise can create real-world change. It cannot. The man in Aso Rock has seen this playbook before. He knows how the game works because we keep handing him the same game plan every election cycle. While we sleep and vent online, he is plotting his path to 2027, strategizing on how to consolidate power and maintain the status quo. Are we ready to wake up, or will we once again hand him victory on a platter of apathy and disorganization?
The Mistakes We Keep Repeating
Our failures are systemic and predictable. We often wait until the last minute to mobilize, forgetting that election outcomes are determined long before Election Day. The lack of preparation, unity, and actionable plans among opposition parties is a glaring issue. Instead of building alliances, engaging the grassroots, and presenting a clear, credible alternative, the opposition is often fragmented and weak. The same mistakes—reliance on personality politics instead of ideology, failure to hold leaders accountable, and an absence of civic education—keep pulling us back.
And yet, we expect different results. It’s as though we believe change will magically happen if we just hope hard enough or complain loudly enough. But democracy doesn’t work that way. Real change requires planning, organizing, and relentless effort. It requires more than online chants; it demands boots on the ground, community engagement, and a long-term strategy.
What Must Be Done
If we truly want a country led by the right people, we must begin to act now. Time is not on our side. Here are key areas where action is needed:
- Strengthening the Opposition: Opposition parties must step up their game. This isn’t the time for internal squabbles and ego battles. The focus should be on forming a united front capable of challenging the ruling party. Unity among opposition forces will be a key determinant of success in 2027.
- Demanding Electoral Reforms: INEC’s structure and processes need an overhaul. Nigerians must demand greater transparency in the collation of results, stricter penalties for electoral malpractices, and the use of technology to ensure free and fair elections. These demands must be loud, consistent, and backed by mass action.
- Advocating for Constitutional Amendments: Fundamental reforms to Nigeria’s constitution are long overdue. From restructuring the federal system to addressing the loopholes that enable corruption and inefficiency, the time to push for these changes is now.
- Grassroots Mobilization: Real change starts at the grassroots. Voter education, issue-based advocacy, and engagement with local communities will be critical in building a movement that resonates with ordinary Nigerians. People need to know their votes count and understand the power they hold.
- Holding Leaders Accountable: Whether in government or opposition, leaders must be held to a higher standard. Nigerians must demand accountability from those who represent them, ensuring that promises made during campaigns are fulfilled in office.
- Youth Participation: The youth make up the majority of Nigeria’s population, yet their participation in politics remains limited. It’s time for young people to move from the sidelines to the forefront, taking ownership of the country’s future and becoming active participants in decision-making processes.
Wake Up, Nigeria!
The time for complacency is over. If we fail to act now, the 2027 elections will come and go, and we’ll be left with the same complaints, the same regrets, and the same leaders. This is our wake-up call. The future of Nigeria lies in our hands, and the choices we make—or fail to make—today will determine the trajectory of this nation for years to come.
The man in Aso Rock is awake, plotting his moves. Are we ready to counter him, or will we continue to sleep on, hoping for change without putting in the work? The choice is ours, but the consequences of inaction are too grave to ignore. It’s time to rise, organize, and demand the Nigeria we deserve.
By: Godwin Offor
