…Warns Against One-Party State

A major political realignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election unfolded in Bauchi on Tuesday as influential cleric and Convener of the Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria, Prophet Isa El-Buba, formally abandoned the camp of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and declared support for the presidential ambition of Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In what observers are already describing as a significant political shift with potential implications for opposition politics, El-Buba threw his weight behind Adebayo while sounding a stern warning against what he termed the growing threat of a one-party state in Nigeria.

Addressing party delegates, supporters, youth leaders and stakeholders at a major SDP gathering in Bauchi State, the outspoken cleric described the moment as a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, insisting that the country can no longer afford what he called “leadership failure, injustice and political complacency.”

His endorsement of Adebayo marks a notable departure from his previous alignment with Obi and signals a fresh attempt by sections of the opposition to rally around an alternative political platform ahead of the next general election.

El-Buba said his decision was driven by the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from worsening economic hardship, insecurity and institutional decline.

According to him, despite Nigeria’s enormous human and natural resources, millions of citizens remain trapped in poverty while insecurity, unemployment and social inequality continue to deepen across the country.

“Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources, intelligent people and great potential, yet millions still suffer from insecurity, unemployment, poverty and injustice,” he declared.

The cleric lamented that successive administrations had failed to translate the nation’s vast potential into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens, leaving many Nigerians disillusioned and increasingly frustrated with the political class.

He argued that the current state of the nation requires more than rhetoric, stressing that genuine transformation would only come through courageous leadership, institutional reforms and a renewed commitment to justice and accountability.

“Now is the time that we need to join forces together to rewrite history. Nigeria cannot continue to go through pain, frustration and leadership failure,” he said to loud applause from party faithful.

Beyond his endorsement of Adebayo, El-Buba devoted a significant portion of his address to warning against the concentration of political power, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy could be endangered if opposition voices are weakened or eliminated.

In one of the most striking moments of his speech, he cautioned against any attempt to turn the country into a political monopoly.

“Nigeria cannot go into a one-party state. Every system survives by justice and equity. Oppression is never the pathway to stability, and peace cannot thrive in the midst of injustice,” he stated.

The cleric’s remarks come amid growing national debates over political defections, the shrinking influence of opposition parties and concerns about the future of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

El-Buba insisted that democracy flourishes only when competing ideas and alternative political platforms are allowed to thrive, warning that any attempt to stifle dissent could undermine national unity and democratic accountability.

Throwing his full support behind Adebayo, he described the SDP candidate as a leader capable of rebuilding public institutions, restoring confidence in governance and offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the prevailing political order.

He also took aim at vote-buying and the growing culture of political inducement, arguing that Nigerians are becoming increasingly conscious of the consequences of poor leadership and are less willing to trade their future for temporary benefits.

“Nigerians are tired, and nobody will buy their conscience with money or a bag of rice. It is time to recover the dignity and future of our country,” he declared.

Expressing confidence in what he called an approaching “national rebirth,” El-Buba urged Nigerians to remain actively engaged in the democratic process and resist political manipulation.

He concluded with a call for unity among citizens seeking a new direction for the country, insisting that the struggle for a better Nigeria must be anchored on justice, fairness, accountability and inclusive governance.

With the countdown to 2027 already gathering momentum, El-Buba’s dramatic political repositioning has added a fresh dimension to the evolving contest for Nigeria’s highest office and may further reshape calculations within the opposition landscape.