Daniel Okorie, a former technical assistant to ex-Governor David Umahi, has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against underestimating the potentials of the emerging coalition of opposition parties, warning that dismissing it as mere political theatre will be politically unwise.
Okorie, who served as Umahi’s aide on Students’ Affairs and now a Nigerian-Canadian-based estate lawyer, made this statement during an interview with reporters recently in Abakaliki.
According to him, the credibility of any political coalition lies not merely in its formation, but in the quality and competence of individuals it puts forward for leadership.
“Past elections have revealed a growing political consciousness among Nigerians. Increasingly, voters are transcending party lines and making decisions based on personal credibility, competence, and proven track records,” he said.
Drawing from personal experience, Okorie disclosed that he and his family voted across party lines in the last general elections, the choices, he believes, had since been vindicated.
“Party loyalty, in the absence of substance, no longer carries the weight it once did. Nigeria’s political parties are not ideological institutions in the true sense; rather, they function more like public vehicles often abandoned when no longer functional,” he noted.
He emphasised that the viability of the emerging opposition coalition would depend largely on the calibre of candidates it presents, the strength of its message, and the sincerity of its mission.
Commending the APC-led Administration in Ebonyi State, Okorie applauded Governor Francis Nwifuru for his inclusive leadership and stakeholder engagement, describing it as a stabilising political force at the State level.
“His inclusive approach has created a political environment that will be difficult to upend, at least at the state level,” he said.
Okorie, a former president of the Ebonyi State University Students Union Government (SUG), however, noted that the national political landscape remains far more complex. He said the success of the opposition at the federal level would depend on its ability to present a clear, unified vision and operate with discipline.
