‘Shield against dictatorship’ — NNPP’s Buba Galadima backs ADC-led coalition

Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has backed the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Speaking on Friday during an interview on ‘The Morning Show’, a programme on Arise Television, Galadima said the initiative was a positive step for democracy in Nigeria.

He said all citizens who care about the country’s future should support the alliance.

“In a democracy, people are allowed to air their views on any issue, whether positive or negative,” he said.

“For me, personally, I think the coalition is a welcome development. It’s one more dissenting voice or one more iron gate against dictatorship.

“And as a democracy, people are allowed to not only air their views, but associate with whosoever they want.”

Galadima said Nigerians alone have the constitutional right to decide who remains relevant or politically viable.

“The truth of the matter is that only Nigerians can decide whether somebody is expired, extinguished or refurbished or rejuvenated,” the NNPP chieftain said.

“Only Nigerians have got that right, and under our constitution, it is the right of people to congregate, assemble and chart a course — not only for themselves, but for the country.”

He added that the coalition deserves public support, given the state of affairs in Nigeria.

“I wish members of this coalition well. I believe all well-meaning Nigerians will support them and will support their right to congregate and assemble and form a political bloc because of what is happening in this country,” he said.

On Wednesday, members of the coalition announced the ADC as their platform for the 2027 election.

Several politicians cutting across party lines are members of the coalition.

They include former Senate President David Mark; Rauf Aregbesola, ex-minister of interior; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; and Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023.

Others are Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation; Solomon Dalung, former minister of sports; and Odigie Oyegun, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They also include Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice; Dino Melaye; Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine; Eyinnanya Abaribe; Gabriel Suswan; Ireti Kingibe; Elisha Abbo; Uche Secondus; Tunde Ogbeha; Victor Umeh; Lauretta Onochie; and Liyel Imoke, among others.