Nigeria needs coalition government for 12 years, argues scholar

A respected Nigerian scholar, Ladipo Adamolekun, argues that Nigeria should adopt a coalition government for the next 12 years, moving away from the competitive 'Government and Opposition' system. His proposal is based on historical evidence showing that political tensions were most intense during periods of limited coalition or minority rule between 1952 and 1983.

The federal coalition would include parties with at least 10% of parliamentary seats from more than two of the twelve states (six of the current 36 states). Each state could choose between a Government and Opposition system or a one-party system, while the federal government guarantees rule of law and individual freedom. A 'National Consensus Assembly' involving political, military, traditional, religious, and civil society leaders would draft guidelines and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to clarify how coalition politics would work.

For this to function, a strong independent judiciary, press freedom, and a culture of open debate are essential. The scholar notes that Nigeria's current parties lack clear ideological divides (Progressive vs. Conservative, Left vs. Right), with their primary concern being accessing national resources rather than serving the public. A formal coalition, where government positions are allocated proportionally to votes won (25-33% for minority parties), would force cooperation and focus on national goals like unity, security, and economic progress, rather than the 'do-or-die' politics of the current system.

The MOU would outline core principles and policies for the coalition to implement, with a threshold of 25% of national votes and 10% of state votes for participation. This model mirrors successful coalitions in diverse democracies like Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland. Would a formal, structured coalition government force Nigerian politicians to collaborate on national development rather than simply sharing the 'national cake'?

SOURCE: https://guardian.ng/politics/thoughts-on-governing-nigeria-coalition-and-consensus-politics/