Politics
2015: Is Opposition Merger Feasible?
That a serious opposition to the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) leadership at the Federal level is brewing is no more news. So the three
leading opposition political parties – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) are
in the heart of the plans to dethrone the ruling party.
What might, perhaps, make news is that as much as the
opposition makes plans to overthrow the PDP, developments emerge to remind observers
that such plans may fail like previous ones which dates as far back as the
First Republic.
This is in the face of preparations and strategic plans,
capped by a proposed merger by the ACN, CPC and ANPP. In order to enhance the
achievement of their goal, the parties were said to have decided to commence
talks early enough, three months after the 2011 general elections, precisely.
Their reason was to first address problems that had stalled such moves in the
past.
It was also learnt in their determination, the parties took
into cognizance the fact that they must beat the deadline of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), which gives 90 days before a general
election for merger.
Section 84 (6) of the 2011 Electoral Act states thus:
“Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (2) of this section, no merger
of political parties received by the commission less than 90 days before any
general election in the country shall be considered by the commission”.
In the words of the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, “The merger of our party, ACN, with the CPC, the All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a splinter group of disenchanted members of
the PDP will come into being very soon.
“I can assure you, the leaders of the parties have been
meeting to consider the proposal, as the only way we can rescue this country
from the PDP,” he said.
In spite of these precautionary measures, however, the
opposition parties acknowledged that one major factor that had stalled previous
pre-2011 election merger plans had been moles planted by the PDP among them.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Mr Emma
Eneukwu, admitted this much when he said “We in the ANPP are very serious with
our merger talks. You know that the PDP would not want us to have successful
mergers, they would not want it to succeed and that is why they have repeatedly
planted people among us to scuttle the process, and that is also the reason we
are starting early”.
So, if the PDP can successfully and repeatedly plant moles
in the opposition, what are the chances that it will not happen again? If until
now all they can imply about how their meetings are infiltrated is based on
suspicion, is it not indicative that they are not really prepared for the kind
of merger that could give the PDP a good fight come the 2015 election?
Another factor the opposition parties have to contend with
is the issue of haggling and how to share political positions after they might
have defeated the PDP. This was one of the key factors that also scuttled the
merger attempt before the 2011 elections.
Although they are indications of the coalition parties
having learnt their lessons from the past failures, as clearly stated by a key
member of the opposition who spoke anonymously, there is still the innate fear
among them that who occupies what position will always be a problem, if not
immediately, then later.
Closely related to this is the feeling that beyond merely
opposing the ruling party, the opposition parties are yet to prove that they
would be different if given an opportunity to lead.
As the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the
PDP, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, put it, “PDP has been in the centre in this
country since 1999 and despite the imperfections of popular democracy, it has
made its own contributions. Sometimes it is difficult to appreciate things,
particularly when we have them.
“I know the leadership of this country under PDP has made
giant strides in so many levels, but that does not mean that the other
political parties will not try to upstage PDP. They have been trying to do
that.
“The blessing is that they think merely being anti-PDP or
fighting PDP is enough for Nigerians to accept them. It is not enough. They
have failed to come up with something that is different, something that is
fresh, something to show Nigerians that they can do better if they are given
the chance.
“So far what we have seen because of court rulings, is the
dogged commitment of the government both under the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua
and under our current President Dr Goodluck Jonathan is the belief in the rule
of law, the judiciary has been given window of opportunities to political
parties, especially opposition, to take over power in so many states of our
country.
“But in those states that the opposition was able to get
judgment like Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo and the rest, you find that, so far apart
from the populism that they bandy around, they have not done anything close to
what PDP has done. So, in that case they cannot pretend to be better than PDP.
In fact, what they are doing in some of the states, like Ogun, where they held
local government election, was terrible.
“In Lagos, the last local government election held about one
and half years ago was a fiasco, it was one of the most scandalous elections
ever had in this country but because they can make a lot of noise from the
Lagos side the rest of the country kept quiet. So, in that case people are not
fooled”.
Prof. Alkali continued that “they can continue making
alliances and counter alliances but because they are not united to provide any
alternative to this country, to PDP, they are not likely to make any
substantial progress”,
He was, however, quick to add that this should not make
members of PDP to be complacent or to take things for granted because “one of
the greatest mistakes anybody can make is to overestimate his own ability or
underestimate the capability of his enemy or his opponent”.
What is, perhaps, widely believed to be the trump card of
the opposition parties that would expectedly see them win the presidency in
2015, is the perceived disunity among some key members of the ruling party for
various reasons.
One of such reasons is the Northern and South-Eastern
interests. More than any other region of the country, the North has shown
strong interests in reclaiming the presidency in 2015.
Since last year, different northern groups have been holding
meetings to discuss the interests of the region and prominent on their agenda
has been the 2015 general election and the possibility of presenting a
consensus candidate from the region. They are banking on the possibility that
this might generate rancor among the PDP, making it difficult for them to speak
in one voice.
However, speaking in a recent crucial meeting he convened of
the Concerned Northern Politicians, Academicians, Professionals and
Businessmen, Dr Junaid Mohammed, expressed doubt about the possibility of a
consensus northern candidate, saying the proponents of the idea were motivated
by the selfish desire for power, and not the common good of the North or the
nation.
For the South-East, the desire to produce a president has
been protracted. While the zone supported Jonathan in 2011, it is divided on
the possibility of supporting him in 2015.
An indication of this schism manifested when some Igbo
leaders distanced themselves from the call on Jonathan to contest in the 2015
election, shortly after his visit to Anambra.
In a statement signed by top Igbo leaders representing
Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation, including Emeka Maduewesi, Uche Onug Lucas, Maxi
Okwu, Okey Igbokwe, Onyema Uche and Obichi Ikechi, the South-East leaders noted
that “whereas Ndigbo overwhelmingly supported the election of president
Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 elections, we remain of the view that the president
should not be distracted by relevance-seeking political jobbers with such
calls, even when he is yet to deliver on his major promises to Ndigbo”.
But if President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on
Inter-Party Relations, Senator Ben Obi, attracts a considerable level of
respect among his kinsmen, he may have resolved the South-East problem when he
recently asked the Igbos to wait for Jonathan’s decision on whether to run or
not before taking action on the 2015 presidential race.
Obi said, “Ohaneze Ndigbo, of which I am a caucus member,
has said it loud and clear that it is the turn of Ndigbo to produce the
president in 2015. Indeed, we are highly interested in the 2015 presidency, but
that is if President Jonathan decides not to run”.
The implication of all these is obvious: unless the
opposition political parties still have their aces face down, waiting for the
opportuned time to turn its face up, all these activities may merely constitute
unnecessary distractions from governance.
As Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, Joshua
Benamaisia, said “It is too early for Nigerians to start the race for 2015. If
the PDP presents Jonathan, then he is good to run. I think people should cease
from heating up the polity and let’s focus on development and restructuring of
this country.”
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday in Abuja, swore in the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN).
At the ceremony held at the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.
“Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.
“This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism,” the President said.
President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.
“We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.
“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,” he added.
President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on November 8, 2025, in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.
“It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.
“To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process – from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non–violent and credible.
“No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback.
“I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the Senate’s confirmation of the INEC Chairman’s nomination on October 16.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.
The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.
The new INEC Chairman will assume office immediately.
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to take urgent and decisive measures to curb the growing trend of arbitrary rent increases across the country.
The House, which described incessant rent increment as exploitative and detrimental to citizens’ welfare, took the resolution following the adoption of a motion on notice at Thursday’s plenary, sponsored by the member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State, Bassey Akiba.
Recall that in May 2024, the House passed a similar resolution sponsored by Emmanuel Udo (PDP, Akwa Ibom), calling for rent control and landlords’ regulation within the Federal Capital Territory.
Udo’s motion advocated monthly rent payments and directed the House Committee on the FCT to propose measures to address excessive, reckless increments in rent by landlords.
Across the country, there are reports of a hike in rents, particularly in areas witnessing new government infrastructural projects such as roads and markets.
In the FCT, rents in some neighbourhoods have jumped from ?800,000 to ?2.5 million annually, for a two-bedroom flat; a development that has plunged many Nigerians into economic distress.
Akiba, while drumming support for the bill, argued that “The rise in the cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for families and businesses to meet rental obligations,” warning that “Unregulated rent increments threaten stability in the housing sector.”
While acknowledging landlords’ rights, he noted that tenants’ welfare must be equally protected to ensure fairness and economic balance.
Referencing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the welfare and security of citizens constitute the primary responsibility of government.
He also cited the United Nations Habitat Agenda, which emphasises access to adequate and affordable housing as a basic human right.
Lawmakers present at the plenary voted in support of the motion when it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session.
Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to “Intensify efforts toward providing affordable housing schemes to ease pressure on the rental market and expand access to low-cost homes.”
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to “Collaborate with state governments in implementing effective rent control policies, ensuring that public infrastructure development does not trigger unjustified rent escalations.”
The House also recommended that any rent review should not exceed 20 per cent of the existing rate, regardless of improvements in facilities.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committee on Housing and Habitat to ensure compliance and submit a report within four weeks for further legislative action.
The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration by the President at the State House yesterday, Amupitan declared that his mission was clear — to deliver free, fair, and credible elections while deepening democratic values across the nation.
During his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that achieving INEC’s mandate would hinge on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the institution.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
Addressing INEC staff and directors, the don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
Turning his attention to the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, the INEC chairman described it as a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.
“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
The don also made staff welfare a central part of his agenda, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce plays a vital role in ensuring credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.
“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the INEC chairman assured.
The chairman, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues who celebrated his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” the don said.
He concluded his remarks on a reflective note, describing his appointment as part of a divine plan.
“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine.
“If God says go, who are you to say I’m not going? I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is born. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest.
“God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.