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In a bold call for political change, Segun Showunmi, former spokesperson for the defunct Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, has advocated for the formation of a national coalition to reclaim Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Showunmi highlighted the evolution of Nigeria’s democracy since 1999, commending achievements such as the 2015 power transfer between political parties.
He, however highlighted the erosion of political integrity and the growing disenchantment among Nigerian citizens with the current state of affairs, which has seen the country’s democracy falter.
Showunmi criticised the lack of ideological differentiation between political parties, stating that elections now revolve around personalities and financial influence rather than values or principles.
He stressed that without a collective effort to address these issues, Nigeria risks further decline into electoral chaos and undemocratic practices.
The former Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Showunmi, also raised concerns over the declining integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
The PDP chieftain said, “We have watched with agony as the clear ideological differences within parties have disappeared, making the choices first about individual personalities and less about values and ideology.
“Sadly now, it is evolving dangerously to just money in a highest bidder heist of the suffrage of the electorate in our beloved country.
“We have watched the electoral umpire, INEC, improve its guidelines and operational manual.
“Yet, rather than an increase in election integrity, what we see is a progressive lack of integrity and transparency in the electoral process.
“The judiciary of our country has not been spared as we have observed an unacceptable and dangerous erosion of the integrity of judicial institutions, which ordinarily should provide balance, checkmating institutions of government and protecting the state from a complete collapse.
“We have observed an increase in the activities of thugs, other non-state actors and violence at play, adding to the challenges of our democracy.”
To address these issues, Showunmi proposed the formation of the iNational Opposition Movement Coalition, a platform designed to unify stakeholders, civil society, academia, the media, and democratic institutions in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
He stated, “There is an urgent need for a platform to engage political actors, national stakeholders, academia, civil society, the media, the political parties themselves, democratic institutions of other nations and all who can contribute to the wellness and sustainability of our democracy. We have created iNational Opposition Movement Coalition.
“This has become necessary as it is obvious that those who are elected members of the opposition have not shown the courage to take on the issues that affect the country and the well-being of the masses.
“Far from looking to evolve into a political party, we seek to engage Nigerians and offer guidance on the issues of opposition.
“We shall work towards eradicating the menace of trading in votes for a token.
“Consequences of the obnoxious practice of trading in votes will be explained through proper education and advocacy.
“Those who have continued to pilfer our common patrimony, stealing the country dry, and persons of questionable wealth cannot seize the reins of power and authority of our beloved nation under the guise of democracy. This we must not allow to persist or endure.
“We are proposing an opposition movement which will not lend itself to chaos.”
