•Says alliances should not be hinged on personal ambitions
As political leaders mull fresh alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, the national secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Olu Agunloye, has warned that such alliances must be built on sound principles and ideology to achieve sustainable development rather than merely winning elections.
In a detailed analysis titled: The Tikanga for Alliances and Coalitions for Good Governance and Life More Abundant, made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday, Dr. Agunloye traced Nigeria’s history of political coalitions.
Highlighting their successes and failures, Agunloye noted that past alliances such as the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) of 1964 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 focused primarily on seizing power rather than implementing long-term national development.
He noted that the first alliances that produced UPGA and its rival, the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA), were both created out of political expediency rather than shared ideology.
He further explained that the APC, which merged multiple parties to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, lacked a strong ideological foundation, claiming that a decade after, Nigeria remained plagued by insecurity, inadequate infrastructure and economic hardship.
According to Agunloye, the failure of previous coalitions stemmed from their lack of clear policy objectives and structured frameworks.
He pointed to the 2018 Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP2018) and the 2021 National Consultative Front (NCF) as examples of well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective efforts.
The 36-party CUPP2018 coalition, despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding to support a joint presidential candidate, did not establish a solid foundation before entering the 2019 elections.
He added that similarly, the NCF, which aimed to create a structured mega-party for the 2023 elections, failed to implement its strategies within the timeframe set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Towards the 2027 elections, Agunloye urged stakeholders to move beyond short-term power struggles and adopt a methodical, principle-based approach to coalition-building, stressing that alliances should focus on national security, social justice, and economic prosperity rather than personal political ambitions.
He also advised that coalitions should be structured well in advance of elections, with clear frameworks for leadership selection, policy direction, and campaign strategies.
The SDP national secretary said alliances should welcome individuals and groups committed to national progress rather than merely serving as a refuge for defecting politicians.
More importantly, he insisted that a blueprint for governance should be established before seeking electoral victory to avoid the pitfalls of past coalitions.
Dr. Agunloye suggested that the SDP, under its current leadership, possesses the organisational structure necessary for such an alliance, but emphasized that other political platforms could also serve the purpose.
He said that Nigeria does not need to reinvent the wheel, as lessons from CUPP2018, NCF2021, and other coalition efforts should guide a new grand alliance for 2027—one that is truly committed to national development and the well-being of Nigerians.
“As the country approaches another election cycle, the question remains whether political leaders will heed his advice or repeat the mistakes of the past,” he posted.
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