Seven different political parties have formed a coalition named Concerned Political Parties (CCPP) to resist the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition was formed to thwart the plot of the APC to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
The coalition is made up of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to Leadership, the political parties decided to form a coalition during a meeting held at the SDP national secretariat.
Addressing journalists, the national chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, said the federal government’s budget of theories can’t solve Nigeria’s economic problems.
Gabam said, “We have also looked at the issue of the Renewed Hope Budget. We have analysed that budget, and in our own humble analysis and opinion, we believe strongly that the National Assembly (NASS) needs to step in and review the budget.
“Our population is over 200 million, and by now, it must have doubled that number. We don’t want a budget that is theory based, the budget must be operational. It is in the interest of the country for the leadership to develop an operational budget, not a budget based on projections and theories that cannot be realised.
“What we have also is a borrowing budget, the country is over indebted, and then there is more borrowing. So, we feel that the budget is not balanced. It is not in tandem with our national interest, the National Assembly must look into it passionately for the overall interest of Nigerians.”
According to Gabam, “We have also 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 politicians to infiltrate their rank, sanity, and capacity to deliver judgements that are sound and can be recognized internationally. We believe the Nigerian judiciary is well entrenched but must be devoid of Executive and political influence so that they know they are serving Nigeria and not any institution of government or political party.”
Also, the acting national secretary of the PDP, Setinji Koshoedo, who represented the party’s national chairman, Umar Damagum, said the coalition is to offer strong opposition to the APC.
He said: “This coalition wants to offer strong opposition for the good of Nigeria. Our duty is to offer alternative solutions to government policies.
“The government has not shown strategic moves to solve Nigeria’s problems. I think this government should review its policies.”
The national chairman of (ADC), Ralf Nwosu, said, “The idea is to strengthen our democracy, we have seen that people in government are trying to stiffen viable opposition.
“Therefore, we are crying out, with what is happening in states like Kano, Plateau, and others is an indication that the government wants a one-party state. One political party state is not healthy for our country; let’s save our democracy.”
Also, the acting national chairman of the NNPP, Abba Kawu Ali, said they still believe in the judiciary and the power of the Supreme Court to correct the wrongs.
“There is no way millions of people will go out and vote for the person they want only for a few people to be in a room and decide otherwise. This is not healthy. But we believe in the judiciary that the wrong of the past will be corrected. We were cheated in 2019, and in 2023, we are still faced with a similar challenge. The judiciary must be seen to be the last hope of the common man,” Ali added.
