TOKUNBO PARTY NIGHTMARE: Shehu Sani Mocks Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Over ‘Nafiu’ Roadblock in ADC Takeover
ABUJA, Nigeria — The race to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 has hit a familiar brick wall. As opposition heavyweights Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso scramble to hijack the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their mega-coalition vehicle, former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has delivered a brutal reality check.
Describing the ADC as a “Tokunbo” (used) political vehicle, Sani warned that adopting an existing party structure instead of registering a brand-new one guarantees an inescapable “baptism of fire.”
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the ‘Nafiu’ Fire
In a hard-hitting public advisory, Sani highlighted the irony of the opposition leaders fleeing internal crises in their respective former parties, only to walk right into a fresh political landmine engineered by ADC factional chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The PDP Escape: “Atiku left Wike and met Nafiu,” Sani stated, referencing the former Vice President’s inability to shake off the Nyesom Wike-led rebellion in the PDP.
The Labour Party Flight: “Obi left Lamidi and Abure and met Nafiu Bala,” highlighting Peter Obi’s exit from the protracted Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa legal battles.
The NNPP Exodus: “Kwankwaso left Dr. Agbo Major and met Nafiu,” Sani added, pointing out Kwankwaso’s leap from the fractured New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Breaking: The ‘Tokunbo’ Engine is Knocking
Sani’s metaphor of a “Tokunbo” vehicle accurately captures the current chaos within the ADC. Rather than peacefully handing over the party keys to the 2027 coalition, Nafiu Bala has mounted a fierce, litigious resistance against the opposition bigwigs.
Recent developments confirm the depth of the crisis:
The Snub: Earlier this month, Kwankwaso publicly lamented that Nafiu Bala stood him up after he waited “until dawn” for a scheduled peace meeting, warning the young politician not to be the “lizard at the mouth of the pot.”
The Radio Clapback: Refusing to back down, Bala took to Premier Radio 102.7 FM, explicitly rejecting Kwankwaso’s overtures and accusing him of betraying the North by splitting votes in 2023 to hand Tinubu the presidency.
Factional Expulsions: The ADC has since splintered, with the David Mark-led mainstream faction attempting to expel Bala and his loyalists, further bogging down the 2027 coalition in legal quicksand.
The Baptism of Fire: No Easy Road to Power
Despite the public humiliation the opposition figures are enduring at the hands of a 36-year-old factional chairman, Shehu Sani insists this turbulence is the mandatory price for the presidency.
“Politics is not a straight line and not a smooth path. It’s a walk through a land mine and through storms and turbulence,” Sani declared.
Drawing historical parallels to global and national leaders, Sani reminded the coalition that power is never handed over voluntarily by adversaries:
The Trump Comeback: He cited the immense legal and political humiliation Donald Trump endured before his return to power.
The Tinubu Hustle: Sani referenced what President Bola Tinubu survived—even battling fierce internal forces within his own APC—to secure the 2023 mandate.
Buhari’s Tears: He recalled the 15-year grueling journey of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who notoriously broke down in tears after his third consecutive electoral defeat before finally winning in 2015.
“Everyone you see occupying a position of power has his bitter and rough story to tell, and there are things he or she will NEVER reveal. That is power,” Sani concluded. “Those who are expecting or hoping that their adversaries will make things easier for them are not ready for power.”