By ADERONKE OJEDIRAN

A political pressure group, The Unifiers Movement (TUM), has criticised opposition politicians participating in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Its National Coordinator, Dr Dayo Kayode, said the arrangement raised concerns about party discipline, democratic accountability and politicians’ obligations to the parties that sponsored their electoral victories.

He spoke in Lagos on Sunday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), following the inauguration of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council on Oct. 14.

The council includees prominent politicians affiliated with opposition parties, including Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra; and Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun.

Wike belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Soludo to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Adeleke to the Accord.

Kayode, a former Accord chairman in Ekiti State and current member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that their participation amounted to anti-party activities.

“There is no doubt that in democratic politics, people with different ideologies can come together. This happens in democracies across the world.

“However, there is a difference between people leaving their political parties to join another platform and remaining in their parties while actively supporting the presidential candidate of another party,” he said.

He argued that political alliances were legitimate features of democratic systems but questioned whether politicians could support candidates outside their parties without violating internal rules.

Kayode said political parties provided the platforms through which their members attained public office and should expect them to respect established regulations.

“Political parties have rules, regulations and guidelines that members are expected to obey. Unfortunately, some people believe they are bigger than the parties that gave them the platforms to attain political office,” he said.

He questioned the argument that including opposition politicians in Tinubu’s campaign promoted democratic inclusiveness, insisting that such considerations should not override party regulations.

According to him, political parties must establish clear expectations for members who publicly support candidates sponsored by rival organisations.

Kayode called for stronger enforcement of party rules, saying inconsistent application could undermine internal democracy and weaken political organisations.

He also expressed concern about the judiciary’s handling of political disputes, alleging that technical considerations sometimes overshadowed substantive issues in party-related cases.

The TUM coordinator called for comprehensive judicial reforms and greater institutional independence to strengthen democratic governance.

“The three arms of government should operate independently while maintaining the necessary checks and balances,” he said.

He further alleged that relationships between political office holders and judicial authorities could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Kayode stressed the need for transparency and accountability, arguing that democratic institutions must operate independently to retain public trust.

He urged Nigerians to scrutinise political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections and assess leaders according to their performance and the public interest.

“The coming election should not be seen only as a contest between the APC and opposition parties, but also as an opportunity for Nigerians to assess their leaders and decide on the direction of the country,” he said.

The campaign council’s composition has drawn attention to the boundaries between coalition-building and party loyalty as politicians reposition themselves ahead of the elections.

Wike was assigned to coordinate Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers and the FCT, while Soludo and Adeleke were named coordinators for Anambra and Osun, respectively.

The appointments have generated debate over whether cross-party participation represents political inclusiveness or raises questions about members’ obligations to their respective parties.

Kayode said political parties needed to clarify their rules on cross-party support and enforce them consistently to strengthen internal democracy.

He added that safeguarding the independence of democratic institutions remained essential to sustaining public confidence in Nigeria’s political system. (NAN)