Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, and African Democratic Congress, ADC, have announced a potential merger aimed at addressing Nigeria’s most pressing issues, including the decline of democracy, economic mismanagement and pervasive corruption.
The two parties revealed their plans during a joint press briefing yesterday held in Abuja, signalling a major shift in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event were the National Chairmen of PRP, Dr Falalu Bello, and ADC, Ralph Nwosu, emphasised the urgency of forming a unified political force to tackle Nigeria’s worsening challenges.
The parties condemned the state of Nigeria’s democracy, citing the deterioration of electoral integrity, especially after the 2023 general elections and ongoing local government elections.
They called for comprehensive electoral reforms to restore trust in the democratic process, stressing that the future depends on free, fair, and credible elections.
On the economic front, PRP and ADC leaders criticised the economic performance, highlighting a significant decline in GDP from $493 billion in 2015 to an estimated $352 billion in 2024.
Both parties called for a shift from a consumption-based economy to one focused on sustainable production, job creation and educational reforms, particularly for millions of out-of-school children.
Corruption, they argued, continues to plague the political system, with recent instances like budget padding in the National Assembly illustrating the deep-rooted nature of the problem.
They advocated for greater transparency in governance, including the establishment of an independent electoral commission and more stringent anti-corruption measures. The parties also pushed for reforms in the judiciary, which they described as compromised and unable to hold political leaders accountable.
National chairman of PRP said:“Democracy is not merely a concept, but a process requiring vigilance, refinement and commitment to certain ethical standards from all stakeholders, especially those in state authority. Recent electoral events in Nigeria have raised significant concerns about the integrity of our democratic processes.
“The 2023 general elections, ongoing local government elections across most states and recent off-cycle elections, witnessed a political landscape marred by electoral malfeasance. Political actors employed Machiavellian tactics to undermine the sanctity of the electoral process, thereby eroding public trust in democracy.
“Every Nigerian must feel empowered to participate in the democratic process freely, fairly, and credibly. The democracy they claim to champion is in trauma under their watch. It is an urgent priority for us to safeguard our democratic institutions and principles.
“We must foster transparency, uphold the rule of law and hold accountable, those who seek to undermine our democratic values. Together, we must work to restore faith in the electoral process, ensuring that every citizen’s vote counts, as failure to do so will keep driving our nation into anarchy.
“Our nation, which has rightly been labelled the poverty capital of the world, has the potential to be a beacon of economic prosperity in Africa. However, the current trajectory is unsustainable and unacceptable. The rise in unemployment, rampant food inflation surpassing 39.16 percent and the exodus of both foreign and local investors illustrate an urgent need for corrective measures.
“We firmly believe that viable and humane alternatives can guide our nation towards sustainable economic recovery. Our people deserve better; they must feel the impact of governance in tangible ways.
“Government should create a fully independent and transparent electoral commission to help minimise electoral fraud and violence at all levels, inclusive of local government administrations. This commission must be provided with sufficient resources and personnel to perform its duties effectively.
“We also propose the following urgent actions: The government must take decisive action to tackle corruption by implementing stringent laws and penalising offenders. Additionally, anti-corruption agencies should receive adequate resources to function effectively, and the government must ensure their operations remain free from outside influence.”
