Akpabio warns Nigerians, asks them not to be fooled by political coalitions

• ADC endorsed as official platform by opposition coalition ahead of 2027, with David Mark and Aregbesola named leaders.
• Akpabio said one person aligning with two parties is deceptive and not supported by Nigeria’s electoral laws.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned Nigerians against putting their hopes in political coalitions, describing them as unrealistic within Nigeria’s electoral structure.

Akpabio, who spoke during the House of Representatives Open Week in Abuja, insisted that only political parties, not individuals or coalitions, are recognised by law to contest elections.

He stated that the idea of one person belonging to two political parties is both misleading and unconstitutional.

“Nigerians, don’t be deceived. Coalition politics is unrealistic,” Akpabio said.

“The notion of a person aligning with two political parties at once is not only unconstitutional but misleading.”

His remarks follow a major meeting held on Wednesday, July 2, in Abuja, where a coalition of opposition figures endorsed the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as their platform for the 2027 general elections.

Former senate president, David Mark, was named interim national chairman of the coalition, while former Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was appointed secretary.

The Abuja meeting attracted heavyweight politicians including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, Sadique Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Akpabio also lamented what he described as public misunderstanding of lawmakers’ roles, stating that the main duty of legislators is lawmaking and not project execution.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced developments in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Abbas said 10 per cent of seats in both the senate and the house would be reserved for women.

He also disclosed that 5 per cent of legislative seats would be set aside for persons with disabilities.