Tinubu Is Terrified Of Election — Even Empty Coffin With No Corpse Will Defeat Him, Says Buba Galadima
A chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition, NDC, and close ally of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are terrified of facing Nigerians in a real election because they know that even an empty coffin with no corpse inside would defeat them.
Galadima spoke in an exclusive interview with RFI Hausa, monitored by Northern Nigeria Hub, where he explained why the opposition wants Tinubu defeated in 2027 and detailed a secret coalition strategy designed to stop the President.
They Are Terrified Of Us, Not The Other Way Round
Galadima said the government is afraid of Nigerians and is deliberately destroying political parties and using thugs to attack the opposition.
“They are terrified. We are not the ones afraid; they are afraid of us. They are terrified and don’t even want to face a real election, because they know that even if an empty coffin with no corpse inside was fielded against them, Nigerians would vote them out as long as there’s an election,” he said.
“That’s why they do everything to destroy political parties. Everywhere you go across the states, they hire thugs to attack the opposition — whether it’s targeting people to be killed, disrupting meetings, or ambushing opposition members. If ADC was ambushed right in Kaduna city, do you think an NDC or PRP member would be spared?”
Why We Want Tinubu Defeated
Asked why he wants to see Tinubu defeated, Galadima said suffering has become universal.
“Whether or not you live in Nigeria, as a Nigerian, the body tells the story. Everyone feels it personally. Even an unborn child knows that people are suffering. God has brought us to an era where governance has turned into deception, tyranny, and selfishness,” he said.
“We thought Buhari’s administration was the height of failure, but now Buhari almost looks like a saint. Even citizens who used to insult Buhari, or those of us who clashed and argued with him, have started saying yesterday was better than today.”
He said any patriotic Nigerian must pray for the end of the government and its replacement with one that will have compassion for the poor.
No Peace, No Roads, Fuel Now N1,600
On insecurity and economy, Galadima said Nigeria has lost peace.
“There is no peace. Right now, if someone dies in our village, I cannot hit the road today; I would have to wait until tomorrow. In the past, I could hit the road to Maiduguri at 9:00 PM and arrive safely by dawn. Can I do that now? Even if I drank a bravery potion, I wouldn’t dare hit the road unless it’s broad daylight,” he said.
“Even in broad daylight, every single second you are constantly looking left and right, terrified that someone will pull up with a gun, stop you, and send you to the grave. This alone — let alone the lack of schools and the skyrocketing cost of living. The fuel that we used to buy at N100 plus per litre has now hit N1,600 in some places.”
The 5-Front Hydra Strategy And Why Obi, Kwankwaso Left ADC
Dismissing claims that the opposition is scattered, Galadima revealed he is leading a seven-member coalition committee chaired by former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi.
He said Atiku Abubakar provided two representatives – Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Yakubu Lado, Peter Obi provided two – Professor Pat Utomi and himself, Buba Galadima, and Seyi Makinde provided two – including Lawal Daura.
Galadima said he personally advised Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to leave the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to save the coalition.
“Had Peter Obi and Kwankwaso not left the ADC party, there would be no ADC today. Right now, he is celebrating, thinking he has finished off the opposition and scattered them. But we are holding meetings,” he said.[Tinubu]
His strategy, he said, is to face Tinubu like a Hydra from five different fronts.
“If we gather all opposition forces in one place, knowing Tinubu does not want to face any opponent, he could drop a figurative bomb and eliminate all opposition candidates at once, leaving himself as the sole choice. That’s why I suggested facing this ‘Hydra’ from five different fronts. If he strikes one, four remain. If he strikes another, three remain. He won’t be able to defeat all five before the election,” Galadima said.
“But even if he manages to strike all five, if a bier with a corpse inside is presented instead of Tinubu, it is better to vote for that bier.”
He cited recent coordination among opposition leaders as evidence of unity – the joint attendance at the burial of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s mother-in-law in Rivers and the opening of the APM office, which he called the cassava party.
“When election time comes, everyone will be vigilant. If we align and see that remaining dispersed won’t deliver results, we can issue an order to all our supporters, and at that point, Tinubu won’t be able to do anything to scatter us; we will direct them on who to vote for.”
Why The North Will Back A Southerner
Galadima said his political calculation is that to defeat a southerner like Tinubu, the North must not field a northerner.
“We went and brought Obi, just as we previously brought Jonathan. The PDP through which we wanted Jonathan to contest was destroyed with government backing. So we shifted to Obi after careful calculation. Our analysis shows: if you want to defeat a southerner like Bola Tinubu, do not confront him with a northerner. Pick a fellow southerner who can divide the southern votes and command his own base,” he said.
“For us in the North, if we truly do not want Bola Tinubu to return and do not want Nigeria to break up, we must choose the better option. If we back him, we can win the election. Even if a northerner isn’t in power, the dignity of the North will be restored.”[Obi]
He dismissed rumours that he or Kwankwaso are working for Tinubu, describing them as attempts to sow division.
