The presidential candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, said on Tuesday that only unity and emergence of a strong candidate would secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in the 2027 election.
Onovo, the Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), stated this in a chat with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Onovo said: “The coalition of opposition leaders needs a vigorous candidate; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.
“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.
“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.
“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.
“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward.”
He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve a convincing victory.
On the chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.
He said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027, and remain in power if interested
Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019.
He urged Nigerians to unite for the development of the country.
© Ripples Nigeria