A founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has said plans by some opposition parties to merge and oust President Bola Amend Tinubu in the 2027 election would fail.

Okechukwu, who was member of the merger committee that midwifed the APC into a formidable opposition in 2013, in a statement yesterday said the circumstances now are different from the ones in 2015.

Recall that some opposition parties recently commenced merger talks in the country in a bid to form a formidable force and dislodge President Tinubu in 2027.

But Okechukwu, a former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), explained that the difference in socio-economic situation of Nigeria between 2015 and 2024 is clear, stressing that in 2015, Nigeria lost focus.

He said, "First of all, on the possibility that the persistent call for opposition political parties to forge a formidable coalition to oust the APC like the PDP was defeated in 2015, the circumstances on the ground differ remarkably.

"Second, dethroning an incumbent President should not be a political pastime, but as a practical political consciousness to remove an underperforming administration. Tinubu is sure, steady, and more allocations have been given to state governments.

"Yes, my understanding is that Atiku was referring to the current socio-economic hardship, but the truth is that whether you like it or not President Tinubu has focus. In 2015, under President Goodluck Jonathan, there was little or no hope."