Coalition Government in Osun: 8 Questions for APC, SDP


The rerun governorship election held in Osun State on Thursday 27, 2018 added to the election history. It is the first since the return of democracy in 1999 in the State. It has equally changed the narrative that the winning party will be the only party forming government by November, 2018 to coalition government.
Coalition government would be formed in line with the All Progressives Congress’ agreement with the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore. The ruling party struck the deal when it was cleared that winning the rerun election would not be easy. While agreeing with the ruling party, Senator Omisore said: “The fulcrum of my campaign was and is still the restoration of good governance and accountability to our dear State. I want my people to be treated with the dignity they deserve. I desire that they have a government that will be accountable to them. I want them to experience the good governance the founding fathers of this State envisaged.”
Earlier analysis by the Positive Campaign Initiative, Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation, that monitors campaigns, shows that APC’s agenda aligned with the Social Democratic Party’s agenda by 55.9%, indicating that electing one of them would be good for the people because their programmes have the propensity of solving problems affecting them (people). Infoprations believes that the two parties are likely to succeed based on the link in their programmes.
Despite this, Infoprations believes that two parties are most likely to have issues in their intent to govern the State collectively. The parties need to address a series of central questions for the coalition to work as expected. It is essential that the parties discern overlap between party interest and social justice. People should not suffer because of coalition government. They need qualitative governance that left no village, town, city and council behind till 2022.
Before November 2018, both parties need to proffer relevant answers to these questions;
Who will be invited to join the coalition and how large should it be?
How will issues and goals be determined?
Will the coalition be short or long-term?
How much long-term planning will be done and how will the coalition adapt to changing circumstances in the State?
Will it focus on building relationships between its members or taking immediate action?
How will the coalition deal with distrust between its members and ensure credible commitments?
Where will resources come from and how will they be shared?
Who will get recognition for coalition successes?

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