The Nigerian Presidency has told opposition leaders criticizing President Bola Tinubu to be patient and wait for the 2027 elections if they want to test their popularity.

Some key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, have been vocal against Tinubu’s government. Recently, they accused his administration of poor leadership and unfair political practices.

At an event in Abuja, Atiku claimed that the APC-led government was offering ₦50 million bribes to opposition leaders to weaken their influence. Meanwhile, El-Rufai criticized the APC for lacking internal democracy, stating that he no longer recognizes the party.

In response, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed their actions as premature. In a post on X, he wrote:

“While the President was in Dar es Salaam working on Nigeria’s energy problems, some ‘wannabes’ were busy heating up the political scene. This is 2025, not 2027. Let them wait to test their popularity in the next election.”

With growing political tension, the Presidency insists that opposition leaders should focus on the right time—2027—if they want to challenge Tinubu. Until then, the government urges them to allow the administration to focus on governance without unnecessary distractions.