“I Want to See How They’ll Displace a Man Who Gave Each of Them 24 Strokes” – Prof. Okey Ikechukwu Criticizes Opposition Strategy
By Erewunmi Peace
Renowned political analyst and public affairs commentator, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, has raised doubts about the viability of Nigeria’s opposition coalition in unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
In a recent interview with The Guardian Nigeria, Prof. Ikechukwu questioned the strategic depth of the opposition, dismissing their unity as symbolic rather than effective.
“I really need to see what they’ll do that will be so strategic as to displace a man who put all of them on the table, gave each of them 24 strokes of the cane, and became president,” he said.
The metaphorical “24 strokes” refers to the political defeat handed to various opponents during the 2023 elections, in which Tinubu outmaneuvered multiple candidates across parties to clinch the presidency.
Prof. Ikechukwu argued that the opposition’s obsession with removing the APC lacks substance unless backed by a coherent and actionable game plan. He stressed the importance of ideological unity, strong internal party structures, grassroots engagement, and a clearly articulated alternative to the APC’s policies.
“You cannot unseat a ruling party just by being angry. You need more than emotion—you need strategy, structure, and sincerity,” he added.
Political Context
The 2023 general election revealed the deep fractures within Nigeria’s opposition, with Labour Party, PDP, and NNPP unable to form a cohesive front. Recent efforts to forge an opposition coalition ahead of 2027 have sparked public interest—but also skepticism.
With this latest statement, Prof. Ikechukwu adds his voice to a growing number of experts who believe that without deep reform and unity of purpose, the opposition will struggle to challenge the APC’s hold on power.
