Radda Slams Opposition Coalition, Calls Members ‘Disgruntled’ and Questions Their Credibility

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, has criticized the newly unveiled coalition of opposition political figures, describing its key members as individuals disgruntled by their exclusion from power. He argued that those behind the alliance lack credibility and are attempting to deceive Nigerians despite their past roles in government.

“Let’s be realistic. Let’s tell ourselves the truth. The time for deceiving Nigerians is over. Who was not in the government in the last regime? Who is not in government? We know the track record of everyone,” Radda said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.

“We know what they have done when they were in government, and they are now crying and shouting because they are outside of the government,” he added.

The coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform after prolonged discussions, announced a transitional leadership team comprising former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman, ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi as spokesman.

In his remarks at the unveiling, David Mark accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of steering Nigeria toward becoming a one-party state.

But Governor Radda has now joined a growing number of political figures casting doubt on the alliance’s intentions, insisting it must present a clear, actionable agenda if it expects the public to take it seriously.

“Let’s be realistic,” Radda said again. “If we are coming with something new to Nigerians, every Nigerian is going to embrace it.

“Who are these people in this coalition? Why were they not in another coalition before? What are they going to come and do differently from what is happening in the country now? Can they promise Nigerians what they are going to bring about?” he asked.

He also challenged the coalition’s stance on key national policies, particularly fuel subsidy removal, demanding clarity on how they would govern if given power.

“Let them come out and tell Nigerians, those who want to contest for president in this election. Let them come and tell Nigerians, are they going to bring the subsidy back?

“And if they are going to bring subsidy back, let them tell Nigerians how they are going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to pay to bring about the subsidy,” Radda stated.

The coalition includes a mix of influential politicians and past presidential hopefuls such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Senator Dino Melaye.

Also featured are ex-Minister Solomon Dalung, Ovation Magazine publisher Dele Momodu, former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.