The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the recent formation of an opposition coalition and its adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a positive development for Nigeria’s democracy.
He said it will prevent the country from becoming a one-party state.
Gbajabiamila made these remarks to journalists on Saturday after casting his ballot in the Lagos State local government elections in Surulere.
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“It’s a welcome development with the coalition. It’s not the first time we’re seeing this. It’s a welcome development. In every democracy, we must have some level of opposition otherwise we’ll run into a one-party state. But I’m not sure where it would go,” he stated.
Earlier this month, leaders of the burgeoning coalition convened at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where they formally declared the ADC as their chosen platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The event saw Ralph Nwosu, a former ADC national chairman, hand over the party’s membership card to former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who were subsequently introduced as the interim national chairman and national secretary of the coalition’s chosen platform, respectively.
The gathering attracted a host of prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, alongside other key stakeholders such as Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Solomon Dalung, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Additionally, numerous politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) participated in the meeting, signaling broad opposition unity.
Gbajabiamila, formerly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, cast his vote at Polling Unit 014 within Elizabeth Fowler Memorial High School in the Adeniran Ogunsanya area of Surulere.
While describing the local government elections as “free and fair,” Gbajabiamila expressed disappointment over the generally low voter turnout observed.
He further lamented the public’s apparent underestimation of local government elections, which he considers more crucial than other electoral contests.
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“Perhaps because people don’t understand fully the importance of local government elections, which is even more important than any other election. We need to sensitise our people.
“We need to educate them about the importance of grassroot government,” Gbajabiamila urged, emphasising the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
