Anchor of Arise Television Morning Show, Rufai Oseni, has criticized prominent opposition figures over their reaction to the newly signed Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing them as a “coalition of jokers.”
Speaking on Friday during the program, Oseni faulted leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi for what he called a delayed and ineffective response to the bill before it was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
“I call them an opposition of jokers. Is the morning just breaking? Eight days after the president signed this bill into law, they are now speaking,” Oseni said.
He questioned why opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly did not take firmer action while the bill was under consideration.
“The question we should ask them is, what did they do about the process when it started? They have members in the National Assembly. Did they call all their members and say, “Ensure you stand your ground”? And kudos to those members that did stand their ground, but did they call them together?” he asked.
Oseni also criticized what he described as symbolic protests after the legislation had already taken effect.
“Is it by going to take turns in protest in front of the National Assembly that that was the case? What did they do extra after the thing had been signed into law? Now you are coming out and saying, ‘We reject this for democracy,’ and you were looking when they were doing it,” he said.
The television host argued that Nigeria currently lacks a strong opposition capable of holding the government accountable.
“We don’t have opposition. There is no opposition. We have a coalition of jokers. We have a coalition of people that are so entitled. They believe power is their birthright. They just barely left government, and they are not used to being out of government for so long,” Oseni stated.
While acknowledging that the opposition made valid points regarding mandatory electronic transmission of results, he maintained that their overall response reflected “docility.”
“Yes, they made a very good point as regards the mandatory transmission. We all know that the government and the APC are lying as regards it. The facts are overwhelming, but the opposition’s docility is equally a big problem. That’s why, with respect, I call them a coalition of jokers,” he added.
Oseni further argued that objections to provisions such as indirect primaries and other contentious clauses should have been forcefully pursued during the legislative process rather than after presidential assent, insisting that the delayed reaction weakens democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 elections.
