By Emmanuel Kwada
In a scathing critique that has ignited national discourse, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) chieftain Buba Galadima has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of orchestrating a deliberate sabotage of the 2027 general elections, claiming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is capturing state institutions and plotting to install a “notorious” retired judge as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman to rig the polls.
Galadima issued this dire warning during an explosive interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on September 15, 2025, predicting that such moves could plunge Nigeria into “civil war.”
Galadima, a veteran political activist known for his unfiltered commentary, alleged that the Tinubu government is systematically destabilizing opposition parties to eliminate any credible challenge in the upcoming polls. “This government is not ready to organize a free and fair election. From their antics, you know how they’re destabilizing the parties.
That suggests that they don’t want an opposition at all during the election,” he declared, pointing to the APC’s alleged infiltration and manipulation of rival structures as evidence of a broader authoritarian agenda. He further lambasted INEC for failing to enforce campaign regulations, noting that early politicking by parties, initiated by the “government of the day,” has compromised the electoral body’s neutrality.
“This issue of campaigning before being allowed by INEC was started by the government of the day. That suggests that INEC cannot be an umpire in a political environment as we have today,” Galadima said, accusing opposition parties of “falling into the trap” by joining the premature fray.
This government is not ready to organize a free and fair election. From their antics, you know how they’re destabilizing the parties
At the heart of Galadima’s alarm is the rumored nomination of a controversial former Court of Appeal judge, described as having a “track record of judicial bias and notoriety,” to replace retiring INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu in November 2025. “Come November, there are rumours all over that this government is nominating a just-retired Court of Appeal judge known for notoriety to be INEC chairman.
I wish it is not true, because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war,” he cautioned, emphasizing that such an appointment would irreparably erode public trust in the electoral process and ignite widespread unrest. Galadima urged the administration to abandon this plan, warning that it signals a blatant disregard for the rule of law and could lead to catastrophic consequences for Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
They didn’t win a single one. They announced themselves as winners
Turning to recent by-elections, Galadima vehemently disputed the APC’s claimed victories, labeling them as fraudulent outcomes marred by voter intimidation and military overreach. He cited examples from Kano and Zamfara states, where security forces allegedly deployed en masse to suppress opposition.
“They didn’t win a single one. They announced themselves as winners. In Bagwai/Shanono federal constituency, we scored 16,000 against APC’s 5,000. In another senatorial district, NNPP scored over 5,700 while APC scored only 265,” he asserted. In Zamfara, he claimed over 30,000 soldiers were drafted for just five polling units, resulting in beatings, maiming, and the forceful imposition of results. These allegations have fueled online backlash, with social media users amplifying Galadima’s claims and calling for independent investigations into electoral malpractices.
Defending the NNPP’s robustness, Galadima hailed party leader and former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the “generalissimo of Nigerian politics,” capable of delivering the populous Kano State in any fair contest.
“Kwankwaso is the only one that, come rain, come shine, if there is a free and fair election, he will deliver the most popular state in Nigeria,” he boasted, dismissing rumors of a secret meeting between Kwankwaso and Tinubu as a smear campaign. “Kwankwaso never saw Tinubu after Paris when he was forming his government. This talk is only to bring him down. How can you work for somebody who declares you an enemy?” Galadima revealed that the NNPP has expelled members involved in unauthorized “hobnobbing” with the APC.
Kwankwaso never saw Tinubu after Paris when he was forming his government. This talk is only to bring him down
On the broader opposition landscape, Galadima lamented selfishness hindering unity among anti-APC forces, questioning whether leaders are willing to collaborate for national salvation. He welcomed reported discussions between former President Goodluck Jonathan and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, suggesting such a “political strategy” could rally the nation against economic hardship.
“If they can put their heads together and bring out one person, you can see how the whole country will fall in line,” he opined. Rejecting ethnic zoning and regionalism, Galadima advocated for merit-based leadership: “I don’t believe in north and south politics. The best Nigerian, irrespective of where he comes from, even if he comes from the most minute tribe, should be president.” He also endorsed the multiplicity of political parties, arguing Nigeria should not impose artificial limits on democratic expression.
Galadima’s interview has reverberated across media platforms, with outlets like Daily Trust, Tribune Online, and Naija News echoing his warnings and sparking debates on electoral integrity.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 polls, his call for the Tinubu administration to “change their style of governance” or face defeat underscores growing opposition fears of democratic backsliding. The APC has yet to respond, but civil society groups are already mobilizing to monitor INEC’s leadership transition.
