Atiku’s Call Heeded: Coalition of Seven Parties Emerges to Counterbalance Political Power

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and six other political parties, including the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), have joined forces to create the ‘Coalition of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP).’ The coalition, aimed at providing a robust opposition, was officially established during a meeting at the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja.

The seven political parties involved in this alliance are the PDP, NNPP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), SDP, Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a key figure in the PDP, had advocated for such collaborations to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). During a meeting with the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council Nigeria (IPAC) last month, Atiku expressed concerns about the potential shift towards a one-party state and urged opposition parties to unite.

The coalition, as clarified by SDP Chairman Shehu Gabam, is not a merger but a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening democracy and providing alternative solutions to government policies. Setonji Koshoedo, acting National Secretary of the PDP, emphasized the coalition’s commitment to offering a formidable opposition for the benefit of Nigeria.

The coalition’s immediate demands include urging the judiciary to deliver judgments that stand the test of time, expressing concerns over escalating insecurity in the country, and calling on the National Assembly to review and rejig the 2024 budget.

Notably, there was no official response from the APC at the time of reporting, with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, remaining silent on inquiries.

Political scientist Professor Kamilu Sani Fage offered insights, describing the decision to opt for a coalition instead of a merger as a strategic move to test the waters. Fage highlighted potential challenges, such as the looming clash of presidential candidates’ egos and the absence of the Labour Party (LP) from the coalition, emphasizing the need for the parties to unite, pool resources, and address arising issues for a successful political coalition.

This development comes amid growing anticipation and scrutiny as Nigeria’s political landscape undergoes significant shifts in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.