PDP, NNPP, Others Form Mega Coalition Against APC Weeks After Atiku’s Offer

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and five additional political parties have joined forces to establish a coalition known as the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties (CCPP).

Other participating parties in this coalition include 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 formation of the coalition took place in Abuja at a meeting held at the National Secretariat of the SDP, attended by leaders of the seven political parties.

Former vice president and PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, had initiated the bid for opposition parties to unite and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by making an offer for an alliance. Atiku’s concerns about the potential slide into a one-party state were conveyed during a meeting with the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council Nigeria (IPAC) on November 14. Speaking on the matter, Atiku emphasized the need for opposition parties to unite against such a scenario.

Addressing journalists after the coalition’s meeting, Shehu Gabam, the chairman of the SDP, clarified that the CCPP is not a merger and does not oppose the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC). He stated, “This coalition wants to offer strong opposition for the good of Nigeria. Our duty is to offer alternative solutions to government policies.”

The acting National Secretary of the PDP, Setonji Koshoedo, representing the acting party’s national chairman, Umar Damagum, added, “This coalition wants to offer strong opposition for the good of Nigeria. Our duty is to offer alternative solutions to government policies.”

Chief Ralph Nwosu, the national chairman of the ADC, highlighted the coalition’s goal to strengthen democracy and counteract attempts to stifle viable opposition. The national chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, acknowledged the presence of other parties in the coalition who were not present at the meeting.

In attendance at the event were representatives from the NNPP, YPP, and ZLP, including Abba Kawu Ali, acting national chairman of NNPP; Egbeola Martins, the national publicity secretary of YPP; and the national secretary of ZLP.