04/07/2025
THE COALITION AND THE CURRENT REALITY IN NIGERIA'S POLITICAL LAND SCAPE.
Introduction:
As a political scholar, I have taken my time to look into certain phenomenon around the current Nigerian political atmosphere in relationship with the trending political coalition and current government at the center led by the All Progressive Congress.
In this article I will be detailing on certain points such as Coalition, Political Ideologies, Personalities, and the Masses.
The current Nigeria political landscape in practice has been nothing to write home about on ideological political concepts. It has become so Undemocratic, full of Nepotism, tyranic, unlawful and most importantly the core function of the government in all levels (protection of lives and property) has been unproductive hence the elites and political class are the ones being protected while the masses suffer in the hands of bandits, herdsmen, terrorist groups etc. This fact is self convincing seeing the rate of killings and massacre of citizens across virtually all the geo political zones in Nigeria. While the elites and political classes are being given adequate security and also residing in secured and government reserved areas, the citizens are left to suffer Insecurity and hardship in our local communities.
Going further, the economy of the country has been much devastated that it becomes a very big burden for common citizens to provide basic needs for them and their families such as food, clothing and shelter. Yes their might have been increased income for both government and non government workers through minimum wage and increase on wages for service men, but the question is, is your income actually matching with price of commodities? For instance a civil servant earns 85,0000 monthly and due to the hike on PMS (Petrol) price such civil servant now spends 30,000 on transport on the bases of 1,000 daily, buys a bag of rice at 60,000, a pair of clothe at 15,000, pays a rent of over 300,000 for a flat and a bag of cement at 10,000. Definitely this worker is on deficit and have to look for other means of income or goes illegal means of getting money. This will also affect the productivity of the worker be it a civil servant or not. The inflation in price of commodities and the government lack of effort in making and enforcing policies that will stable prices of commodity have made the economy so unbearable for the common masses.
This failure in government have brought lack of trust and love for the political actors both past and present.
Now back to the main business. Key areas of my assertion.
1. Political Ideologies; This is the key bases of people joining political parties in organised societies, but in Nigeria political parties are being joined by citizens and political actors on the bases of personal gains and interest. Hence a political party isn't safe on securing the interest of any political actor and his followers then defection becomes inevitable.
People have been asking what is the Ideology behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC) being used as an official platform for the Coalition. The answer is nothing hence Nigeria political actors and even the masses are not concerned about that rather for the party to be used as a means of getting power. Including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) lacks Good Ideologies to win an election in a well organised and civilised society.
On the aspect of the Coalition and ADC, remember that ADC is an already existing political party which majority of the coalition members are not part of it from it's creation, hence the ideology behind the formation of such party is older than the members of the coalition.
2. Personalities; The Nigerian political environment is characterised as one which have stronger personalities and weaker Institutions. This can be seen on the current happenings even to the extent of individuals becoming stronger than the Nigerian Military as seen in the case of bandits, terrorists, herdsmen, militants etc. Another example is the anti corruption agencies being so weak to fight corruption from apex corrupt individuals, the judiciary favouring the elites and political actors even in their wrong dealings and even against the very supreme laws of the land (Nigerian Constitution)
In relation to the current happenings and the coalition, we have seen strong individuals in power against strong individuals out of power with both fighting in different platforms to grab power in 2027. They all powerful and know themselves and might go every length such as the use of propaganda, blackmailing, litigation and even political thuggery to achieve results (power) even against the will of the citizens. The question to ask. If those in the coalition are seen as hungry and weak people why the attacks, litigation, propaganda and blackmail against them?
Yes all the political actors both in the coalition and in the ruling APC might in one way or the other involved in the Nigeria political scene since 1999 till, but definitely there must be one of them who can do better than others, except you want to tell me that Nigerians can't better themselves.
3. The masses; This are the common citizens whom are directly affected by the policies, political struggle, crisis etc being carried out by the political actors and elites in disguise of Institutions and government.
According to the Karl Max in his "Class Struggle Theory" These citizens contitutes 70% of the population and will one day unite to fight the political and elite class through a revolution and take over to bring in a better society. Yes some attempts have been made just like what happened in the 2023 general election, the force and realistic outcome of the obedient movement was felt. They won in majority zones and in number but lacked the defence of their votes. This now take us the coalition.
4. The Coalition; A coalition is usually a group of people, institutions or organisations coming together to form a untied front in other to fight or pursue a particular course. The first political coalition in Nigeria was announced on February 6th, 2023, that is the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of a merger from different political parties. The APC went on to win the 2015 General election, thereby unseating the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and have remained in government till then.
The current political coalition which was announced on the 3rd of July, 2025is also an outcome of political actors from different political parties coming together to challenge the current government of the APC which they have attributed as a failure to Nigerians. Although not far from the truth as characterised with hardship and economic backwardness, but has there ever been a good government in Nigeria? The answer is no but there has been better governments compared to that of the APC.
Moving forward, looking at the experience of the last 2023 election where two key actors in the coalition current (Alj. Atiku Abubakar and HE. Peter Obi) came 2nd and 3rd with 6million votes each respectively below the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who secured 8milion votes. The Coalition now having some state actors by them who can defend the votes of the citizens might make a huge success.
In conclusion. The Nigerian political environment has been one characterised with Godfatherism and most political decisions of the masses are being made by their bosses and Godfathers whom are directly or indirectly their benefactor.
The questions are;
1. Will the messes vote their conscience or money?
2. Will the bidden of God fathers work on the masses?
3. Looking at the last 2023 election what are the mistakes and errors you made as an individual that must be corrected?
4. Do you think votes will really count?
What are your thoughts..
Let me get your feedbacks on the comment section please please
Written by;
Amb Precious Iheanyi Nwogu
