‘Nigerians, Don’t Be Deceived, Coalition Politics Unrealistic,’ Says Akpabio

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned Nigerians against placing hope in political coalitions, describing such arrangements as unrealistic within the country’s electoral system.

Speaking during the House of Representatives Open Week in Abuja, Senator Akpabio stressed that only political parties—not individuals or coalitions—are legally empowered to contest elections.

According to him, the idea of one person belonging to two political parties simultaneously is both deceptive and impractical.

The senate president’s comment followed the opposition coalition’s meeting on Wednesday, 2 July, in Abuja, where the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was adopted as its official platform for the 2027 elections.

The coalition named former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman and ex-Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary.

The high-profile meeting saw attendance from several former and serving politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar—alongside former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

The Senate President also addressed what he called misplaced expectations placed on lawmakers by the public. He clarified that the core responsibility of legislators is to make laws, not to embark on infrastructure development projects.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced progress on the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

He revealed that 10 per cent of seats in both the Senate and the House would be reserved for women, while 5 per cent would be allocated to persons with disabilities.

Short URL: https://www.africanexaminer.com/?p=103489