Coalition Season: How Pro-Tinubu Groups are Multiplying Ahead of 2027

What stands out ahead of 2027 is the speed and number of groups openly aligning with Bola Tinubu, each claiming structures across states, local governments, and wards.

In recent months, several organisations have presented themselves as platforms for continuity in 2027. Some describe their mission as policy advocacy and public engagement, while others are clearly focused on mobilisation and visibility. 

Why the rush is happening now

Three main forces are driving this growth.

In Nigerian politics, support groups often serve as entry points for influence. They help individuals and blocs signal loyalty, secure relevance, and negotiate a place in the larger political arrangement that will form closer to the election. The earlier a group builds structures, the easier it becomes to claim ownership of a territory later.

Formal party structures can move slowly and sometimes face internal competition. Support groups move faster. They create parallel networks, test messages, and build local contacts that can later be absorbed into the main campaign machinery. They also help key actors demonstrate reach, numbers, and organisation.

When opposition actors talk about alliances and mergers, the ruling side often responds by strengthening its own network early. A growing list of supportive groups is meant to show momentum and discourage wavering stakeholders.

Campaigning without calling it campaigning

This is where politics meets regulation. The Independent National Electoral Commission has repeatedly warned about premature campaigning and has pointed to the legal campaign window under the Electoral Act. 

In practice, enforcement is difficult because early activity is often framed as public enlightenment, civic engagement, or promotion of government programmes, even when it resembles a full campaign organisation.

This is why many groups choose careful language. They avoid direct vote solicitation and instead focus on messaging, outreach, and branding. But the structures they build often look like what you would expect in an election season.

What these groups typically do

In practical terms, most pro-Tinubu groups focus on four things.

They manage narrative. They defend policies, amplify achievements, and challenge false claims in the media.

They build structures. They appoint coordinators, create state and local networks, and organise events that keep supporters active.

They bargain regionally. Many groups frame support as both loyalty and leverage, using mobilisation to push for attention, projects, appointments, and political concessions.

They align elites. When influential figures attend launches or endorse organisers, it signals that the group is accepted within the broader power structure.

The risks that come with the boom

A crowded support group space can create confusion and rivalry. Multiple groups may compete for the same communities, the same leaders, and the same recognition. This can lead to duplication and internal friction.

There is also the issue of accountability. When groups raise funds, purchase branded materials, or announce large-scale mobilisation, transparency matters. Nigerians are increasingly sensitive to the question of who is paying, who benefits, and whether public resources are being indirectly used for political activity.

Finally, there is the risk of governance distraction. Nigeria faces serious economic and security pressures. If politics becomes a permanent campaign mood, public attention can shift from performance to propaganda. That is rarely good for citizens who want results, not slogans.