Former Ogun State governorship aspirant and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Segun Showunmi has unveiled a new initiative called the National Opposition Movement Coalition. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Showunmi explained that the coalition aims to restore Nigeria’s democracy and hold the government accountable in a political landscape he described as lacking robust opposition.
Showunmi expressed concern over the declining state of opposition parties in the country, particularly the PDP, which he said has failed to effectively challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration. “We have watched the enthusiasm of our citizens wane over the years, with each election proving to be worse than the previous,” Showunmi lamented. He added that voter turnout has been declining, while political parties have shifted focus from ideology to individual personalities.
He criticized the growing influence of money in Nigerian politics, saying, “It is now evolving dangerously into a money-driven, highest-bidder system that compromises the suffrage of the electorate in our beloved country.”
The newly launched movement seeks to provide a platform for engaging key stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy, including political actors, civil society, academia, the media, and democratic institutions. “The birth of this movement is necessary to rescue our nation and democracy from the danger we see on the horizon,” Showunmi stated.
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He emphasized the lack of respect for party supremacy and the absence of viable opposition as major threats to Nigeria’s democratic process. “There is an urgent need for a platform to engage political actors, national stakeholders, academia, civil society, the media, political parties, and democratic institutions globally—anyone who can contribute to the wellness and sustainability of our democracy,” he said.
Showunmi clarified that the coalition is not a political party but a movement dedicated to advocacy and education. “We will embark on advocacy to educate the people on how democracy and electoral outcomes affect them,” he explained. The movement aims to address vote trading, a practice Showunmi described as “obnoxious,” by educating Nigerians on its consequences and working towards its eradication.
He condemned the influence of individuals with questionable wealth in the political space, stating, “Those who have pilfered our common patrimony, stealing from the country, and persons of questionable wealth cannot seize the reins of power and authority under the guise of democracy.”
To build momentum, the coalition plans to hold town hall meetings across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and establish partnerships at the state, local government, and ward levels. “We have set this noble task for ourselves, knowing the sacrifice required and the trust deficit in the country,” Showunmi remarked.
He assured Nigerians that the movement will maintain its focus on constructive opposition without descending into chaos. “We are proposing an opposition movement that will not lend itself to chaos. Nigeria and its citizens cannot be manipulated into crisis by charlatans playing with buzzwords to deceive the public into mob action with its attendant consequences,” he said.
The National Opposition Movement Coalition, according to Showunmi, represents a bold step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s democracy, ensuring transparency in governance, and safeguarding the nation’s future.