PART 1 — ARTICLE
Reuben Abati expressed concern over the state of political parties in Nigeria's upcoming 2027 elections. He described most of the 21 registered parties as lacking character, depth, and identity, calling them mere shells or Special Purpose Vehicles that can be bought by individuals seeking political entry. Abati contrasted today's parties with those of the First Republic, such as the Action Group, Northern People's Congress, NCNC, NEPU, UMBC, NNDP, NDC, DP, MDF, BYM, and Igala Union, which were rooted in regional or cultural ideologies and had identifiable leadership. He noted that parties in the Second Republic, including UPN, NPN, GNPP, PRP, NAP, and NPP, also had clear leaders and followership, citing figures like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Aminu Kano, and Dr. Tunji Braithwaite. Abati argued that the military's interference, particularly under Generals Babangida and Abacha, distorted Nigerian politics by creating artificial party structures and reducing politics to patronage. He claimed that retired military heads of state still wield influence, as no political figure of significance can emerge without paying homage to them. While acknowledging the presence of opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, David Mark, Dino Melaye, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, Pat Utomi, Seyi Makinde, Aminu Tambuwal, John Oyegun, Raufu Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami SAN, Nasir el-Rufai, Omoyele Sowore, and Solomon Dalung, Abati questioned whether they could truly serve as heroes of the 2027 process.
The irony is that while Reuben Abati criticizes political parties for lacking identity and leadership, he names over a dozen opposition figures as potential heroes without explaining how they differ from the shell parties he condemns. If these individuals represent the alternative, then the opposition is no less personality-driven than the system it seeks to replace. Their prominence relies on personal profiles rather than party structures, reinforcing the very emptiness Abati laments. This leaves Nigerian voters with names, not movements, to choose from in 2027.
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