Galadima alleges Tinubu govt paying opposition ₦ billions to quit 2027 race
Buba Galadima, chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alleged on Arise TV's Prime Time (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) that the Tinubu administration is pressuring opposition politicians to withdraw from the 2027 general elections by offering cash incentives. According to Galadima, state assembly candidates are being offered ₦50 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦200 million, Senate candidates over ₦500 million, and governorship candidates over ₦2 billion to step down and allow APC candidates to run unopposed.
He further claimed opposition parties face restrictions on campaigning in some parts of the country, describing these limitations as potentially resembling 'fascism,' 'dictatorship,' or 'monarchy.' Galadima also cited concerns about uneven political environments, pointing to alleged high costs of billboards in Abuja as an example of barriers to opposition visibility.
These allegations come as Galadima questioned how the APC could win the 2027 election amid what he described as widespread hardship, insecurity, poor healthcare, and economic difficulties. He also claimed a secret opinion study commissioned by his group (conducted by a British-Polish company, with unspecified methodology) found that Peter Obi would win a free, fair, and transparent 2027 presidential election, but warned that Tinubu could potentially manipulate the electoral system despite his unpopularity.
For voters approaching the 2027 elections, these claims highlight the importance of scrutinizing candidate motivations, monitoring campaign environments for fairness, and considering how alleged financial pressures might impact the independence and policy positions of those seeking office.