IN RECENT times, there have been developments within Nigeria’s opposition parties. The leaders of the parties that came second and third in the last general election — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) — have announced that they will join and run under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a small party founded in 2005.
This move has already triggered high-profile defections, including some from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to the ADC.
The coalition has established an interim leadership for the ADC, appointing former Senate President, David Mark, as National Chairman, former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, and former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary.
Countless homes have been looted without consequence. Blunders have been made across various government sectors, and justice has been denied. Instead of solving the people’s problems, many of these leaders relied on funds from the IMF, World Bank, and the UN — funds that were frequently misappropriated and are now being repaid through the sweat of ordinary Nigerians. They have perpetuated a vicious cycle of exploitation and plunder.
This is not the first time a coalition has formed to unseat an incumbent. The fact that some of its members make radical speeches and denounce the very system they have long benefited from does not mean they intend to bring real change. Rather, they are exploiting the suffering of the masses as an opportunity to seize power and expand their influence.
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Nothing New
During his acceptance speech, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola declared: “As the National Secretary, I will work to build a party with a clear ideological compass — a party committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, the rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency, and national development. A party that listens and works for the people, not only during elections but every single day.”
These are empty words meant to mislead those with short memories — those who lack a critical understanding of the political records of the coalition’s members.
We have seen this before. When the All Progressives Congress (APC) formed a coalition and came to power after ousting the corrupt Goodluck Jonathan administration in the historic 2015 election, it brought former President Muhammadu Buhari to power. His eight-year tenure was marked by anti-poor, pro-rich policies, rampant insecurity, and grave human rights abuses.
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Many Nigerians have celebrated this new coalition, believing it marks a turning point that could dislodge the corrupt Tinubu/APC regime. But the people must understand that this is not yet Uhuru (freedom), and simply raising a new flag or unveiling a new party logo will not solve our problems.
Nigerians must face the reality that unless the working class builds its own mass party — one committed to implementing socialist policies — we will remain trapped in capitalism’s endless cycle.
Coalition a Ruse
There is no doubt about the character of those forming this alliance: former vice president, governors, and ministers — many of them billionaire elites who enriched themselves by plundering public resources while in office, whether elected or appointed. Such individuals cannot deliver the change Nigeria’s ordinary people desperately need.
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The coalition is also heterogeneous, built on conflicting interests.
The Chinese have a saying: “The fish rots from the head,” meaning problems start at the leadership level.
For decades, the political elite represented by this new coalition have managed the system in favour of the ruling class. They have shown a complete lack of transparency and deep entanglement with corruption.
What is the use of a Ministry of Labour that takes no concrete steps to reduce unemployment? Why have a Ministry of Agriculture when people are starving? What is the purpose of a Ministry of Defence if there are no real policies to protect citizens from kidnappers and bandits? What good is a Ministry of Health when people die of preventable diseases? What is the use of a Ministry of Finance if it does not fund adequate non-profit infrastructure programs? Why have a Ministry of Education that fails to improve learning outcomes or expand access to schools, especially in rural areas?
Countless homes have been looted without consequence. Blunders have been made across various government sectors, and justice has been denied. Instead of solving the people’s problems, many of these leaders relied on funds from the IMF, World Bank, and the UN — funds that were frequently misappropriated and are now being repaid through the sweat of ordinary Nigerians. They have perpetuated a vicious cycle of exploitation and plunder.
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Nigerians must organise to take democratic control of production in the interest of the people. The question then is: what Kind of Coalition Do the Nigerian People Need?
Many young people on social media joke that “the coalition Nigeria needs is a coalition of the oppressed.” But behind the satire lies a powerful truth: the suffering masses must unite to form a real alliance — a movement capable of challenging the ruling class and their repeated coalitions.
What we need is a movement built by people ready to fight tooth and nail for a just and free society. Such a movement must include workers, youth, unions, civil society, left-wing organisations, sectoral associations, and others. As Karl Marx said, “The ruling class does not give up power without a fight.”
The first task of this coalition would be to build structures of participation and struggle, mobilising ordinary people to resist exploitation and repression while improving their lives. This coalition must also discuss contesting elections while confronting Nigeria’s deeply flawed and fraudulent electoral process.
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At this moment, we believe the African Action Congress (AAC), led by Omoyele Sowore, offers a starting point for such a process. The AAC must radicalise its program and establish open, democratic structures for mass participation to fulfil this role.
How Can Change Come?
Now is the time to ask ourselves difficult questions — and to prepare to answer them through collective action.
What is the use of a Ministry of Labour that takes no concrete steps to reduce unemployment? Why have a Ministry of Agriculture when people are starving? What is the purpose of a Ministry of Defence if there are no real policies to protect citizens from kidnappers and bandits? What good is a Ministry of Health when people die of preventable diseases? What is the use of a Ministry of Finance if it does not fund adequate non-profit infrastructure programs? Why have a Ministry of Education that fails to improve learning outcomes or expand access to schools, especially in rural areas?
These are the issues a new working-class party must address. It must advocate for public ownership of key economic sectors, as well as worker and social control over the public sector, to ensure the economy serves the people’s interests.
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For us in the Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM), the time has come to fight for real change. We must continue mobilising, educating, and organising the people.
Conclusion
Government failure becomes a bottleneck for society, and the people’s well-being remains an illusion under capitalism. Nigeria has more than enough resources to ensure dignity for all its people. Yet a deadly alliance between corrupt political elites and multinational corporations continues to hold the nation back.
Nigerian workers and youth must build their own coalition. Only a socialist alternative can offer hope to the hopeless and justice to the oppressed.
A genuine coalition of the oppressed must directly appeal to the working class, making it clear that poverty is not a natural condition — it is the direct result of capitalism and the criminal theft of society’s wealth.
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From economic crises to imperialist wars, revolutionaries must use every systemic failure to organise. As the campaign against the inhuman treatment of Nigerians continues — under both the Tinubu regime and opposition-run states — we must respond with practical resistance.
The new ₦70,000 minimum wage has yet to be implemented by the federal government or most states. Meanwhile, multinational corporations continue to pay poverty wages to Nigerian workers. This exploitation must be the central target of our struggle. The rich grow richer only by exploiting labour — we must fight back against this reality.
We must also recognise that capitalism is a global system. Therefore, our struggle must be rooted in internationalist solidarity with the working class worldwide, with the ultimate aim of overthrowing capitalism. Some advocate for social democratic reforms, claiming capitalism can be improved. But history proves the opposite: capitalism cannot be reformed — it must be replaced.
Nigerian workers and youth must build their own coalition. Only a socialist alternative can offer hope to the hopeless and justice to the oppressed.
Comrade Macaulay, a human rights activist, socialist and trade union activist, writes from Abuja.
