The Myth of Political Coalitions Outside Party Frameworks in Nigeria:

By Chief Okoi Obono-Obla

One of the leaders of the so-called coalition, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, claimed in an interview with Arise Television today that political parties are not involved in their coalition. This assertion is nothing more than a gimmick designed to mislead the uninformed.

Under the current constitutional and legal framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is no such entity as a coalition separate from political parties. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly stipulates that no one can contest for the office of President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, or serve as a member of the National or State Assemblies, or Local Government Chairperson or Councillor, unless they are sponsored by a political party.

Anyone aspiring to contest any of the above-mentioned positions must belong to a registered political party and secure that party’s nomination. There is no provision in the Constitution or in the Electoral Act 2022 that recognizes or legitimizes coalitions as independent political entities capable of fielding candidates.

Therefore, any individual or group suggesting that a coalition can operate without political party involvement is either misinformed or deliberately playing political games at the expense of public understanding.

Conclusion:

While Nigerians yearn for alternative political platforms and genuine reforms, constitutional boundaries must not be ignored or misrepresented. Any credible effort to reshape the political landscape must be grounded in legal realities—not fantasy.

Chief Okoi Obono-Obla