Nigeria's ruling party mocks opposition leader for appearing to sleep at summit

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has seized upon an image of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appearing to sleep during a crucial opposition summit in Ibadan, using it as fodder for political mockery. Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the APC, shared the photo, framing it as a sign of the opposition's disarray and lack of seriousness. This tactic, while common in political discourse, highlights the intense jockeying for position ahead of the 2027 general elections. The opposition, comprising parties like the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party, convened in Ibadan with the stated goal of presenting a united front and fielding a joint presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, the APC's focus on a single image of Abubakar, rather than engaging with the substance of the opposition's agenda, suggests a strategy of undermining their opponents through ridicule. The social media reactions to the image further illustrate the polarized nature of Nigerian politics, with some users criticizing Abubakar while others offered humorous or defensive explanations. From our perspective at Premium Times, while such moments can be politically damaging, the true measure of the opposition's strength will lie in their ability to overcome internal divisions and present a credible alternative, regardless of how their leaders appear in photographs. The APC's eagerness to highlight this perceived lapse also speaks to their own anxieties about a unified opposition, demonstrating that the political landscape remains dynamic and competitive.

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And the opposition leader slept at the all-important opposition summit…..