A former Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, has formed a grassroots political movement, the “Masses Coalition for Nigeria,” saying the platform could reshape the country’s political landscape and potentially unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Oyelese in a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, said the movement emerged from widespread dissatisfaction with the political class and what he described as the neglect of ordinary Nigerians.
“Across party lines and ideological divides, one painful reality stands out today: no one is truly fighting for the masses of this country.
“No political party has put consideration of the masses on the front burner, beyond rhetorics,” Oyelese said.
He accused the political elite of focusing on “self-aggrandizement, internal power struggles, and elite consensus,” while “the grassroots—where the real Nigeria resides—are left to bear the harshest consequences of economic hardship due to mismanagement and poor governance.”
According to him, the coalition is a response to a growing sense of frustration among citizens.
He noted that “hardship has become a permanent companion” for many Nigerians, warning that continued neglect could have serious consequences.
“When the pains of the people are consistently ignored, society does not collapse overnight—it quietly reorganizes.
“The masses may be scattered, but they are not powerless,” he said.
The former Minister also said the continued neglect of the masses under the “current harsh conditions” amount to sitting on a moral volcano that must not be allowed to erupt.
He stressed that the coalition is not designed to destabilize the country or oppose existing political structures, but rather to advocate for inclusivity and people-centered governance.
“The Masses Coalition for Nigeria is neither anti-government nor anti-party. It is pro-people.
“It seeks to restore balance to a political space that has become heavily tilted towards elite comfort at the expense of grassroots survival,” he said.
Describing the initiative as a “credible third force,” Oyelese said the movement aims to fill what he called a longstanding gap in Nigeria’s political system.
“Nigeria has waited long for a credible third force—one that speaks calmly, organizes responsibly, and places the masses at the centre of national discourse.
“The Masses Coalition for Nigeria is emerging to fill that void,” he said.
He also cautioned that ignoring citizens’ welfare could threaten national stability, noting that “a nation remains strong only when its people feel seen, valued, and included.”
“This is not a threat to the state, nor a call to unrest,” he added. “It is a warning drawn from history and reason—that persistent neglect of the masses carries grave implications for social cohesion and national stability.”
Oyelese emphasized that the coalition is rooted in “necessity” rather than ambition, and is aimed at redirecting governance toward “justice, inclusion, and genuine service to the people.”