By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Nigerian activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has set social media ablaze with a scathing remark branding the country’s leading opposition figures as the “most useless opposition ever under the most useless government ever.” His post, accompanied by a group picture of 2023 presidential candidates—Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (NNPP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP)—has fueled heated debates over the state of Nigeria’s political opposition.
Adeyanju, known for his vocal criticism of government policies and opposition strategies, implied that these leaders are playing into the hands of the ruling establishment rather than offering a formidable challenge. His statement, “Real definition of controlled opposition,” suggests that he believes the trio lacks the political will or strategy to hold the current administration accountable.
While Adeyanju’s remark resonates with some Nigerians frustrated with what they perceive as a weak and fragmented opposition, supporters of Obi, Atiku, and Kwankwaso have pushed back, accusing him of fueling division. Some have questioned his own political leanings, arguing that his history of activism does not exempt him from scrutiny.
This is not the first time Adeyanju has courted controversy. As a self-proclaimed “prisoner of conscience,” he has been repeatedly arrested for his activism. However, his latest broadside against opposition leaders raises questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s opposition parties in challenging the government and providing an alternative vision for governance.
With Nigeria’s 2027 elections on the horizon, Adeyanju’s statement may serve as a wake-up call—or deepen the existing cracks within the opposition. Will the accused politicians respond? Or will this post be dismissed as yet another instance of social media outrage? The coming days will tell.
