SEVEN opposition political parties on Wednesday, 6th December 2023 formed a new coalition to strengthen democracy in the country.
Tagged the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties, the coalition was consummated in Abuja at a meeting attended by leaders of the concerned political parties at the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The coalition comprised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Allied Movement (APM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Young Progressives Party (YPP,) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
It will be recalled that while hosting a delegation of the Inter-party Advisory Council in November, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar expressed fears of the country sliding into a one-state party, urging the opposition to see the need for unity.
While expressing worry about the reality of the country’s level of instability going through, the coalition urged the judicial system to save Nigeria’s democracy and rid itself of political and executive interference.
Speaking on the essence of the coalition, the National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Gabam said, “We looked into the issue of the judiciary. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man if it still stands.
“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 SDP Chairman, however, stated that the coalition is not for a merger or against the Inter-Party Advisory Council.
Also speaking at the meeting, the acting National Secretary of the PDP, Setonji Koshoedo, who represented the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, stated that the coalition will offer a strong opposition.
On his part, the national chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said the idea behind the coalition “is to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. “We have seen that people in government are trying to stifle viable opposition”, he enthused.
Eighteen-Eleven Media