Party merger: Obi says no deals yet

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has clarified that no merger agreement has been reached with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), or any other political group.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made this statement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, addressing key national issues.

He emphasized that discussions with other parties have not led to any formal agreement but called on all patriotic Nigerians within the political landscape to unite in 2027 to bring about change and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the APC of mismanaging the nation’s resources.

Highlighting national challenges, Obi described the security situation as dire, citing frequent incidents of banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings that have claimed innocent lives.

He also raised concerns about corruption and the increasing cost of governance, which he argued have contributed to the country’s rising public debt.

Obi criticized what he described as the mismanagement of public funds, including frequent foreign trips by government officials in 2024, which he claimed placed undue strain on national resources.

Ahead of the 2023 elections, there were discussions of alliances or mergers among the Labour Party (LP), NNPP, and PDP, however, these efforts did not materialize, with each party fielding its candidate.

Political party mergers in Nigeria are a common phenomenon, often driven by the desire to consolidate power, challenge dominant parties, or respond to the political landscape ahead of major elections

Formation of the APC (All Progressives Congress)

In 2013, four major opposition parties merged to form the APC, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The merger, motivated by the desire to unseat the then-dominant PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) in the 2015 general election, eventually brought in former President Muhammadu Buhari after defeating the seated president, Goodluck Jonathan.

PDP’s Realignments

Over the years, the PDP has absorbed or aligned with smaller parties, especially during critical election periods. These mergers or alliances have often been driven by the need to consolidate opposition against ruling parties or secure strategic regional support.

FRCN