The Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition (NDC), Princess Oyeronke Akinlolu, has expressed confidence that the party is well positioned to challenge and possibly upset established political parties in the 2027 general elections.
Akinlolu, who spoke on the growing structure of the party in the state, said the NDC is gaining traction among youths and women, describing them as the driving force behind its rising popularity.
According to her, the political mood in the country is shifting in favour of alternative platforms, as many Nigerians express dissatisfaction with the dominant political parties.
“We are seeing increasing interest, especially from young people and women who are identifying with our vision,” she said.
She noted that the party’s identity and symbolism have also contributed to its acceptance, stressing that the NDC logo, which signifies unity and victory, resonates strongly with younger voters.
Akinlolu, who described the party as relatively new and “the baby of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” said the NDC is deliberately building inclusive structures rather than relying on political elites.
She dismissed speculations of any imminent takeover of the party by established politicians, insisting that political structures must be built from the ground up.
“Nobody can take over a party they did not build. If you sit on the fence while others are building, you cannot suddenly come in and claim ownership,” she said.
The NDC chairperson also said no major politician has officially joined or contacted the party in Oyo State, adding that internal preparations are ongoing ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for this weekend.
On the 2027 presidential election, Akinlolu said the party remains optimistic, citing widespread economic hardship as a factor pushing Nigerians to seek alternatives.
“Nigerians are tired. People are hungry and frustrated. The situation cuts across all sectors—civil servants, security agencies, and ordinary citizens. People are looking for something new,” she said.
She added that the party’s focus is on youth empowerment, women inclusion, and social development, noting that political leadership must reflect the energy and aspirations of younger generations.
“The youths are not leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders of today. We are building a platform where they can actively participate and lead,” she stated.
Akinlolu also highlighted insecurity, unemployment, and poverty as key challenges the party intends to address if elected, stressing that restoring security would enable economic recovery, especially in agriculture.
She argued that many individuals currently involved in criminal activities were once farmers whose livelihoods were destroyed by insecurity.
On the power sector, she called for the appointment of professionals to manage critical ministries, insisting that technical expertise is essential for effective governance.
“You cannot appoint someone without technical knowledge to oversee a complex sector like power. Professionals must be allowed to lead where they have competence,” she said.
While commenting on former President Goodluck Jonathan, she declined to speculate on his political future but noted that his leadership style had been misunderstood and politically exploited in the past.
Akinlolu maintained that the NDC remains focused on building a credible alternative platform capable of competing with established political parties in 2027.
