Nigeria opposition parties form electoral alliance

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Thirty-nine opposition groups in Nigeria have banded together in what they say is a united front to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s presidential election.

In a memorandum issued on Monday, they announced the formation of an alliance to field a joint candidate.

Buhari’s ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) split last week when one faction declared it no longer supported his government, threatening the 75-year-old former military ruler’s hopes of securing a second term.

The splinter group, known as the Reformed-All Progressives Congress (R-APC), the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and 37 other political parties will together try to unseat the APC in the February 2019 elections.

“The parties agreed to ensure the emergence of a joint presidential candidate,” said the memorandum, which was read out by Tom Ikimi of the PDP.

“The leadership of the parties are hereby committed to work together in a Coalition of United Political Party,” it said, adding that the modalities of the new alliance still had to be agreed.

President Buhari's candidacy is expected to be formally approved by his party. /VCG Photo

"It's an alliance, not a merger. The idea is that we are going to work together as equal," Yunusa Tanko, head of one of the parties the minority National Conscience Party, told AFP.

The alliance could pose a major threat to Buhari’s re-election bid as the rifts within his APC threaten to split support for the president.

The president's former ally, Buba Galadima, who announced the creation of a group R-APC, accused the government of failing to deliver on key pledges to improve security and tackle corruption.

Buhari announced in April that he would seek another term. His candidacy depends on party approval, though that is usually seen as a formality for the incumbent.

Political parties in Nigeria must select their candidates for the election between August 18 and October 7.

Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer and richest economy. It plays a key role in the regional fight against Islamist militants.

(Top photo: President Muhammadu Buhari presenting the national budget to the National Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria, November 7, 2017. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters