Dickson Iroegbu, a House of Representatives aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has argued that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential ambition contributed to President Bola Tinubu’s electoral victory.
Speaking on Mic On Podcast on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Iroegbu said opposition parties must critically assess the factors that shaped the 2023 election if they hope to improve their prospects in 2027.
“If not for Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2023, we wouldn’t have had Tinubu come to power,” he said, describing the remark as his assessment of the political events leading to the election.
Iroegbu argued that leadership decisions within political parties can significantly influence voter behaviour and electoral outcomes. He urged opposition parties to prioritise consensus-building, strategic planning and unity ahead of the 2027 general election to present a credible alternative to the ruling party.
He added that Nigerians expect political leaders to put national interest and long-term development above internal disagreements and called on opposition figures to draw lessons from the 2023 election to strengthen democratic competition and public confidence.
