Politics
Any Need For Mega Party In Nigeria?
Recently, a political party platform met under the aegis of National Political Summit Group (NPSG) with a common resolution to work towards the realisation of a mega party in Nigeria.
The essence and objective of a mega party is to eliminate the current proliferation of political parties in Nigeria and possibly have two political party system.
Presently, Nigeria has 55 registered political parties and about 25 of these political parties are jostling for a mega party.
Proponents of the mega party argue that the move will provide good governance, economic prosperity and social justice to the downtrodden citizens of Nigeria. Proponents of a mega party in Nigeria include Chief Olu Falae, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Ayo Adebanyo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Fredrick Fasheun, Chief Dapo Sarumi and Alhaji Balarabe Musa.
Others are Dr. Usman Bugaje, national secretary of the Action Congress (AC), Mr. Sule Hammah representing the Buhari Organisation (TBO) and Mujahidine Asari Dokubo among others.
However, Nigerians may be tempted to ask whether this group of prominent Nigerians have critically evaluated the problems of mega party and why the need to merge these political parties. Does the law regulating the registration of political parties in Nigeria through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) permit such merger?
The spokesperson of the National Political Summit Group and former Minister of Information, Chief Dapo Sarumi noted that the proposed political platform would not be merger of existing registered political parties, neither would it be an alliance of parties, but entirely a new political party bound with a common ideology of good governance and social justice. According to him, the planned mega party will comprise leaders and political parties with progressive ideology, working towards a new Nigeria to reflect the wishes of the Nigerian people.
Former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande who is also the national chairman of one of the registered political parties, Action Party of Nigeria (APN), said the progressives were coming together to form the mega party in Nigeria to give the nation a clear-cut direction to good life and good governance.
He explained that the mega party had become imperative because the ruling Peoples Democratic Party had allegedy failed to provide credible leadership to Nigerians, stressing that the nation needed a sense of direction to stop the attendant daily suffering of Nigerians.
However, judging from historical perspectives, the history of mergers and alliances in Nigeria’s political development is always bright with prospects, but devoid of a common strategic objective to achieve the mega party dream.
In the Second Republic, despite several moves among the then defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) to fuse together into a mega party with a common view to wresting political power from the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), such move met a political end.
Although the parties and their leaders succeeded in evolving a political platform, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), the leaders of the two political parties, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo failed to agree and reach a compromise on who should step down for the other.
In the end, the plan fell and all retreated to their respective political parties to contest the 1983 presidential elections. The irreconcilable differences among the United Progressive Grand Alliance paved way for the then ruling NPN to be returned as the winner of the presidential elections.
In the same vein, the fusion of the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) which succeeded in fielding Chief Olu Falae as the presidential flagbearer of the APP/AD accord did not achieve the target. The political marriage collapsed immediately after the 1999 presidential election in which Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of PDP won the election.
Again, the alliance talks between the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress (AC) did not achieve meaningful result as the two presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in the 2007 presidential elections did not agree to step down for each other, and the dream of the opposition parties to present one single candidate in the presidential election of 2007 suffered a setback.
Against this background, Nigerians are doubtful if the proposed mega party will succeed considering the various political parties involved in the merger philosophy and inclinations.
Unfortunately, some of the advocates of the mega party have pulled out before the fruition of the idea. A crack visibly noticeable within the proponents of the mega party was the declaration by the leadership of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) that it was not in the mega party. The PPA leadership said “the party is not for mega party, we are for electoral alliance”. The party further said “we are supporting any talk which can make the opposition cohesive and strong and not to lose our identity with the merger of political parties”.
In the same vein, another political party, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) also denied being a party to the mega party’s idea. The CDC’s national chairman, Madu Edozie clearly distanced his party from the formation of the mega party. Even more is the fact that the Action Congress leadership is divided on the desirability of the mega party.
There is indication that some strong forces in the camp of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have refused to drop Action Congress for the mega party.
But, according to an opposition Action Congress (AC) member in Rivers State, Hon. Shadrack Tetenmi-Lebari, the issue of mega party was the best move which would checkmate the excesses of the ruling party, wondering where the interest of the promoters of mega party actually lay.
Mr Shadrack added that Nigerians were ready to contribute to the mega party formation on the condition that there was transparency on the part of the mega party proponents.
However, the mega party may face some hurdles with the electoral body as the law regulating the registration of political parties does not permit the registration of a mega party. Registered political parties are allowed by law to maintain their individual identity for financial grant from the nation’s electoral body.
Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the future of the mega party formation.
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.