The Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition (NDC), Princess Oyeronke Akinlolu, on Thursday declared that Nigerians are hungry, angry and frustrated with the current state of the nation, insisting that her party will defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Akinlolu said the growing hardship, insecurity and economic challenges confronting citizens had created widespread dissatisfaction across the country, forcing many Nigerians to seek an alternative political platform.
Speaking during an interview with The Guardian in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the NDC chairperson said the party was steadily gaining acceptance among the youth and women who, according to her, were tired of what she described as old-style politics.
“Nigerians are tired. People are hungry and frustrated. Civil servants, security personnel and ordinary citizens are all affected by the economic situation in the country,” she said.
According to her, many citizens have lost confidence in the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] and the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party [PDP], adding that Nigerians were now looking for a fresh political direction.
“People are looking for something new. When there are too many disappointments, people naturally begin to seek alternatives,” she stated.
Akinlolu maintained that the NDC would approach politics differently by prioritising youth inclusion, women participation, security and job creation.
She said the party had attracted a large number of young people and women because of its commitment to inclusiveness and grassroots mobilisation.
“The youth are not leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders of today. We want to empower them now. If you attend our meetings, you will see active participation by youths and women,” she added.
On insecurity, the NDC chairperson said the worsening security situation had pushed many displaced farmers and unemployed youths into criminal activities.
“We must tackle insecurity first because it affects everything. Once there is security, people can return to their farms and provide for themselves again,” she said.
Akinlolu also stressed the need for vocational training and employment opportunities for youths, warning that increasing poverty and unemployment posed serious threats to national stability.
Speaking on the power sector, she argued that only professionals with technical expertise should be appointed into strategic ministries.
“You cannot appoint people without technical knowledge into sensitive sectors like power and expect miracles. Professionals should head critical ministries,” she said.
She also described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a simple and democratic leader whose humility, according to her, was exploited by political opponents.
“Jonathan is a democrat and a simple man. Many people took advantage of that simplicity, but history will remember him differently,” she added.
