With the 2027 election on the horizon, Nigeria's political landscape is reinvigorated with intrigues. On one hand stands the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, on the other is the coalition; a diverse mix of old-guard politicians in the African Democratic Congress pledging to rescue Nigerians from the failures of the current administration.

Members of the coalition, despite adopting the ADC, belong to other political parties. Opposition figures allege that Tinubu's administration is undermining rival parties through infiltration. In response, they appear to be borrowing from the same playbook by maintaining party affiliations while supporting an inter party alliance and floating platforms like ADA and SDP as decoys. What was once seen as Wike's signature wayo now appears a widespread tactic.

Before the polls, the coalition may yet adopt another platform as a survival strategy. Beyond fending off the incumbent government, the coalition also faces the formidable challenge of convincing Nigerians to trust it with the mandate to fix the country despite comprising of the old guard.

Decades of misrule have left Nigerians distrustful of politicians. To win public confidence, the coalition must present a clear, actionable plan as the alternative, not just promises. The coalition must clarify its position on issues that matter the most: tackling inflation, addressing energy prices, taming insecurity, introducing state police, tackling the rot in the health and tertiary education sector, and ensuring food security.

Every election is shaped with a narrative, and 2027 would be no exception. The coalition has to develop the perfect slogan; a campaign slogan is to politics what the perfect seasoning is to stew: simple enough to chant, and memorable enough to unite and become the rallying cry for supporters.

To drive turnout, the campaign narrative must speak to the concerns of the youth, the largest demographic constituting 40% of registered voters. The ADC's recent appointment of young people to key positions within the party signifies its recognition of the importance of youthful participation.

The coalition must engage with INEC and work with civil society to ensure transparency and deter malpractice. It must also hold the government accountable. Tinubu's tenure has been marked by inflation, insecurity, deep-rooted corruption, and food insecurity. Spotlighting these failures is key to mounting effective pressure.

Nothing would damage organic support faster than a backroom coronation. Selecting a presidential nominee must be through a transparent direct primary that ensures a level playing field. Top contenders like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are political heavyweights, but imposing a consensus choice risks alienating their passionate supporters and fracturing momentum before the polls.

President Tinubu's macroeconomic policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and unifying the foreign exchange rate, are gradually restoring stability to the economy. Halfway through his tenure, he needs to focus on curbing inflation, limiting food insecurity, and securing the country. For him to win in 2027, these efforts must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

True to his reputation as a wheeler-dealer, President Tinubu is expanding his influence among the political elite. Since 2023, the governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom have defected to the APC, along with 50 national assembly members from various states. Through citizen engagement, the president is working to mend fences in the North, where a groundswell of opposition simmers. With the political establishment increasingly behind him, President Tinubu is poised to confront the upcoming election from a position of strength – making the coalition's task more difficult.

As politicking for 2027 goes into high gear, one thing is sure to suffer—governance.