PDP, NNPP, five others form coalition to tackle APC
Maureen Aguta
To boost democracy in the nation, a coalition including seven opposition political groups was created on Wednesday.
The leaders of the political parties gathered at the Social Democratic Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja to form the movement known as the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties.
Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Allied Movement, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party were the members of the coalition.
According to reports Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the PDP, warned the opposition to recognize the necessity for unity and voiced concerns about the nation becoming a one-state party while entertaining a delegation of the Inter-party Advisory Council in November.
The coalition asked the legal system to preserve Nigeria’s democracy and free itself from interference from the executive and political branches, even as it expressed concern about the degree of instability the nation is experiencing.
The SDP’s National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, discussed the foundation of the alliance by saying, “We looked into the issue of the judiciary.” If it survives, the judiciary represents the last hope for the average person.
“We are worried about the level of instability the country is going through. If you look at recent developments in Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kano, and Plateau states, it is very clear that the judiciary must exercise extreme caution with some of its decisions.
“The judiciary should strengthen their conviction towards delivering judgments that can stand the test of time. They should not allow we politicians to infiltrate their rank, sanity, and capacity to deliver judgments that are internationally sound and can be recognised.”
The coalition is not opposed to the Inter-Party Advisory Council or in favour of a merger, according to the SDP Chairman.
Speaking during the meeting on behalf of the acting national chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, was Setonji Koshoedo, the PDP’s acting national secretary. He said that the coalition will provide fierce resistance.
Chief Ralph Nwosu, the national chairman of the ADC, stated that the goal of the alliance is to “strengthen our democracy.” Those in authority are attempting to silence reasonable criticism.