Opposition urged to learn from Tinubu’s political strategy

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Grassroots Mobilisation Initiative has urged opposition parties to understudy President Bola Tinubu’s political strategy instead of engaging in what it described as “reactionary rhetoric” ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The group said Tinubu’s political journey, marked by resilience, coalition-building and long-term planning, should serve as a model for politicians and students of political science across the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Coordinator of GMI, Samaila Musa, described Tinubu as one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s contemporary political history.

Musa said the President’s rise from a pro-democracy activist to Nigeria’s 16th President represented “a masterclass in political engineering and long-term networking.”

He called on Nigerian universities to move beyond theoretical teachings and study the practical methods Tinubu used in building political structures and alliances over the years.

According to him, Tinubu’s involvement in the June 12 struggle and his role in the National Democratic Coalition reflected courage, sacrifice and strategic leadership.

“To understand where Nigeria is going, we must understand the man who spent thirty years mapping the route,” Musa stated.

“We are calling on universities to analyse the practical mechanics of how Tinubu built power, maintained a regional stronghold, and eventually captured the centre through the most successful opposition merger in African history.”

The group also highlighted Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State governor, saying his administration transformed the state through aggressive internal revenue generation and fiscal reforms.

GMI noted that Tinubu’s recruitment of technocrats such as Babatunde Fashola and Yemi Osinbajo demonstrated the importance of talent development and continuity in governance.

The organisation further described the 2013 merger that produced the All Progressives Congress as a major lesson in strategic alliance-building.

It said the alliance between the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change and All Nigeria Peoples Party remained the first successful opposition coalition to defeat a ruling party in Nigeria.

The group also defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, describing them as bold decisions aimed at addressing structural economic challenges.

GMI warned opposition parties against “overheating the polity” with divisive rhetoric, insisting that true opposition should be based on strategy, patience and national interest.

“True opposition is built on superior strategy and patient alliance-building, not on destabilising the nation,” the statement added.