Seven political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), have joined forces to create a coalition. The newly formed alliance, known as the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP), also includes the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The coalition was established during a meeting held at the National Secretariat of the SDP in Abuja. Leaders of the participating parties gathered to discuss the collaborative efforts aimed at providing a robust opposition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The move comes in response to the call made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar last month, urging opposition parties to unite to challenge the dominance of the APC.
During the meeting, SDP Chairman Shehu Gabam clarified that the coalition is not a merger and emphasized that it does not oppose the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). Addressing journalists, he stated that the coalition’s objective is to offer a strong opposition for the betterment of Nigeria, providing alternative solutions to government policies.
Setonji Koshoedo, the acting National Secretary of the PDP, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the coalition’s commitment to contributing positively to Nigeria’s democracy. Chief Ralph Nwosu, the National Chairman of the ADC, stressed that the coalition aims to strengthen democracy and counteract attempts to stifle viable opposition.
Yusuf Dantalle, the National Chairman of the APM, highlighted that the coalition comprises additional parties not present at the meeting.
The coalition outlined immediate demands, urging the judiciary to deliver judgments that withstand the test of time. They referenced recent Court of Appeal judgments on states such as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kano, and Plateau, where coalition candidates lost to those of the ruling party. Additionally, the coalition expressed concerns about the worsening insecurity in the country and called on the National Assembly to review and enhance the 2024 budget, emphasizing the need for an operational budget rather than a theoretical one.
The other two leading opposition parties: the Labour Party (LP) and the NNPP had said the call ought to be given quality consideration.
