Opposition parties begin merger talks to ‘rescue Nigeria’

Opposition political parties have attributed the severe economic challenges facing Nigerians to the policies and governance of former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, the national chairmen of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Falalu Bello, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, criticized what they described as “anti-people policies” and pervasive corruption, which they claim have stifled small businesses and hindered economic growth.

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“The policies are not encouraging middlemen but frustrating their small businesses, which are needed to strengthen the economy,” they said.

Bello announced that the opposition parties have initiated merger discussions to form a unified platform aimed at “rescuing the country.”

He invited other interested parties to join the effort to safeguard Nigeria’s future.

He highlighted Nigeria’s economic decline since the return to democracy in 1999, noting that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which stood at $493 billion in 2015, had plummeted to an estimated $352 billion by 2024, representing a 27% decrease.

“This alarming economic retrogression has plunged millions into poverty and stagnation,” Bello stated, blaming the situation on nine years of alleged mismanagement.

The parties also pointed to deeply entrenched corruption as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic woes, claiming it has stifled development and eroded public trust.

“The practices popularized by the APC and PDP administrations in the last two decades have created an environment where corruption is not only tolerated but celebrated,” they alleged.

Calling for collective action, the opposition leaders emphasized the need for a “viable and humane alternative” to guide Nigeria toward economic recovery.

“We firmly believe that Nigerians must come together to safeguard their future. This is the time to unite under one political platform to take back the country,” they urged.

The proposed merger, they added, would provide an opportunity to strategize and implement solutions to address the nation’s pressing challenges.