Opposition politicians have formed a new political party, the African Reformation Party (ARP), ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ARP is led by Kunle Okunola, a former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate, and aims to challenge the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The formation of ARP is driven by dissatisfaction with President Tinubu’s governance, particularly his failure to address socioeconomic challenges.
Okunola expressed concern over unfulfilled campaign promises, signaling that ARP would prioritize transparency and accountability in governance.
ARP’s platform centers on addressing Nigeria’s historical governance issues by probing past leaders from 1960 to the present and recovering stolen national funds.
The party also plans to engage over 54 million Nigerians through merit-based ticketing, without requiring nomination forms from political aspirants.
Okunola slammed the current political system, highlighting the exorbitant fees political parties charge aspirants.
He argued that this practice excludes the poor and allows only the wealthy to participate in governance, which undermines democracy.
One of ARP’s notable proposals includes setting up an agricultural prison for individuals convicted of corruption and increasing the national minimum wage to N700,000. These policies are designed to promote fairness and financial security for Nigerians.
The party has been in discussions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since 2020, pushing for registration. Okunola warned that if ARP is not registered by December 2024, the party will occupy INEC offices in protest.
Okunola shared the party’s ideological foundation, emphasizing the importance of power rotation between the North and South.
He recounted how the ARP’s precursor, the New Reformation Unity Forum, supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bola Tinubu’s presidential bid to maintain peace and stability in the country.
ARP intends to continue its mission of using political solutions to address Nigeria’s pressing issues.
The party however rejects violent resistance, instead seeking to create a platform that represents the interests of ordinary citizens and provides a fresh alternative in Nigerian politics.
