In Kaduna, a summit organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday brought together a coalition of eight opposition parties, with their sights set on the 2027 general election.
Dubbed the ADC Democracy Summit Kaduna 2024, the event was geared towards fortifying party infrastructures in preparation for challenging the ruling APC and tackling the nation’s pressing concerns.
Distinguished political figures from parties such as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), KOWA, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) convened to underscore the importance of grassroots mobilization and enhancing political awareness among citizens.
The summit, chaired by Lawal Nalado, stressed the urgency of alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians and promoting informed decision-making prior to the elections. While dispelling rumors of mergers, Nalado criticized the incumbent administration for exacerbating national challenges rather than mitigating them.
Echoing Nalado’s sentiments, Falalu Bello, National Chairman of PRP, emphasized the significance of effective voter mobilization and the selection of credible candidates. He identified resource constraints, lack of internal democracy, and interference by the ruling party as primary obstacles confronting opposition groups.
The IPAC National Chairman advocated for accountability, transparency, and diverse methods of holding the government accountable, highlighting the opposition parties’ role in ensuring governmental responsibility and the delivery of democratic dividends.
The National Chairman of KOWA party and spokesman of CUPP challenged opposition parties to spotlight government shortcomings actively, urging them to play a vocal role in governance.
Ahmed Tujjani, chairman of ADC and IPAC Kaduna State, clarified that the summit aimed to tackle socioeconomic and political challenges while offering practical solutions. He emphasized the importance of early engagement and citizen involvement in the electoral process.
Tujjani reiterated that the summit was not geared towards merger or coalition formation but rather towards fostering dialogue and collaboration among opposition parties to effectively address common issues.
