Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned Nigerians against placing hope in emerging political coalitions, describing such arrangements as “unrealistic” under the country’s electoral laws.
Speaking during the House of Representatives Open Week in Abuja, Akpabio stated that Nigeria’s Constitution only recognizes political parties—not coalitions or individuals—as vehicles for contesting elections.
“Nigerians, don’t be deceived. Coalition politics is unrealistic,” Akpabio said. “The idea of someone aligning with two political parties at the same time is not only unconstitutional but misleading.”
His remarks come in the wake of a high-profile opposition coalition meeting held on July 2 in Abuja, where key political figures adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their unified platform for the 2027 elections. The meeting saw the appointment of former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary.
Prominent figures in attendance included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar, among others.
Akpabio also used the platform to address what he described as public misconceptions about the role of lawmakers, clarifying that the primary responsibility of legislators is to make laws—not to execute infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, provided an update on the ongoing constitutional amendment process. He announced plans to reserve 10% of legislative seats for women and 5% for persons with disabilities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections continues to shift, with tensions rising across party lines and debates intensifying over the legitimacy and practicality of coalition politics.
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