Renowned political analyst and public intellectual, Professor Udenta Udenta, has warned that Nigeria’s 2027 general election will be marked by intense and brutal political competition, contrary to claims that the outcome is already settled in favour of the incumbent administration.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Naija Unfiltered by Symfoni, Prof Udenta described the coming election as a “very robust, scorched-edge political warfare,” stressing that Nigerian politics is too fluid and unpredictable for any political actor to assume automatic victory.
According to him, Nigerian politicians are largely driven by interests and shifting power dynamics rather than ideology, making long-term political certainty almost impossible.
“There will be a contest in 2027. A very serious contest. Anyone who thinks the game is already over is not paying attention to history,” he said.
Reacting to Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent comment that it would be “suicidal” for anyone to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election, Prof Udenta dismissed the statement as political rhetoric rather than objective analysis.
He argued that the Vice President merely spoke to appease his audience and protect his political position, insisting there is nothing empirical or logical about declaring an election decided two years before it takes place.
Prof Udenta also predicted that many politicians who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may eventually return to their original political parties when expectations are not met.
According to him, most defections are motivated by fear, pressure, and the desire to align with power, rather than genuine loyalty to party ideology.
“When the pressure reduces and internal competition intensifies, many of those who rushed into APC will quietly retrace their steps,” he said.
Despite concerns about the weakening of opposition parties, Prof Udenta rejected claims that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state, arguing that the country is experiencing political fragmentation rather than democratic collapse.
He added that opposition parties still have the opportunity to reorganise, realign, and present viable alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections.
The political analyst also criticised the current state of governance, noting that government officials often rely on macroeconomic indicators that do not reflect the daily realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He pointed to rising food prices, transportation costs, and declining purchasing power as critical issues that will shape voter behaviour in the next election cycle.
Prof Udenta concluded that while the ruling party may be strategically positioning itself to retain power, the 2027 election remains wide open and will ultimately be decided by economic conditions, political alliances, and public sentiment.
