We Have a Coalition of Jokers — Oseni Slams Opposition Over Response to Electoral Act

Anchor of the Arise Television Morning Show, Rufai Oseni, has criticised leading opposition figures, describing them as a “coalition of jokers” over their reaction to the recently signed Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting on Friday, Oseni faulted opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi, for what he called a delayed and ineffective response to the legislative process.

He questioned why opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly failed to take stronger steps while the bill was being considered, instead of raising objections days after it had been signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While praising lawmakers who maintained their stance during deliberations, Oseni argued that the wider opposition did not mount a coordinated resistance.

He also criticised what he described as symbolic protests after the bill had already become law, adding that Nigeria currently lacks a formidable opposition. He alleged that some opposition figures feel entitled to power and have struggled to adjust to life outside government.

Although he acknowledged that the opposition raised valid concerns about electronic transmission, he maintained that their overall reaction showed “docility.”

Oseni said, “I call them opposition of jokers. Is the morning just breaking? Eight days after after the President signed this bill into law they are now… 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. Yeah, but did they call them together?

“Is it by going to take turns in protest in front of the National Assembly that was the case? What did they do extra after the thing has been signed into law. Now you are coming out and saying “we reject this for democracy”. And you are looking when they were doing it.

“We don’t have opposition. There is no opposition. We have we have a coalition of jokers. We have a coalition of people that are so entitled. They believe power is their birth rights. They just barely left government, and they are not used to being out of government for so long, so they put themselves together, and today they are saying opposition.

“And that’s why I keep telling them, APC even did better opposition than what they are doing today. Is it how to hold government accountable? All of a sudden, they are now saying, Oh, they quickly passed a law that the against indirect primaries that is going to cause division in their political party. That it’s going to prevent them from being able to pick their candidates and all of that.

“Why are you saying it now? When they pushed it forward, why didn’t you fight against it? Why are you taking eight days after the president hurriedly signed into law?

“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. We’ve given them all the data.

“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.”