APC Teases PDP As Disaster In Opposition
- Says Nigeria fast becoming one-party State
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) says its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a huge joke and disaster as an opposition party in Nigeria.
The ruling party said “Nigeria deserves a strong, vibrant opposition to play its conventional role in the polity to deepen democracy” but sadly, the country is fast becoming a one-party state due to PDP’s many failings.
“As a party that believes in democracy and progressive politics, we cannot pretend any longer. Democracy cannot be said to be fully operational in a situation where the supposed ‘main’ opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become a joke, irresponsible and rudderless”, the APC said.
In a statement released in Abuja at the weekend, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said; “Even as the governing party, we recognize the importance of rigorous and intelligent interrogation of our policies and programmes by the opposition.
“There are a lot to gain by our democracy and our country in an atmosphere of robust engagement by responsible and patriotic opposition. The political system we practice has important roles for the political parties outside of power. The system envisaged that such parties would provide alternative viewpoints and put the governing party on its toes.”
The statement further said; “Instead, the PDP and their minions have in the name of opposition continued to distract the government and Nigerians with their post-election delusions, salacious fictions, conjured rifts in government circle and of course the lowest of it all, the pathetic and senseless Jubril of Sudan malicious tale, among other fake news. Tragic!
“It is sad that PDP has finally proved incapable of filling this important democratic space. The other mushroom parties are even worse. Some of the smaller parties are filled with incurable charlatans issuing infantile weekly press statements on behalf of the PDP. Our democracy deserves better.”
The statement further said; “The so called Congress of United Political Parties (CUPP), which could have filled the vacuum and engaged the APC administration in useful debates over governance, has become a comedy theater group and frontline PDP minion”, adding; “CUPP has the unenviable mandate to try to intimidate and blackmail important state institutions such as INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies, on behalf of PDP with the hope of gaining political advantage having been rejected by the majority of the voters.”
According to Issa-Onilu, with the Buhari Presidency working hard to tackle all national challenges at a period when all well-meaning should be focusing on issues of nation building, it is rather unfortunate and sad that the best PDP and its acolytes are offering is a distraction.
“While the PDP wallows in its obscene conducts, Nigeria under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration will continue to consolidate on its status as Africa’s largest economy.
“Despite inheriting a battered economy, the administration is growing the economy after pulling it out of recession.
“The administration’s record investments in agriculture, social investments and infrastructure projects are paying off hugely”, the APC spokesperson said
It further stated that; “For one, we are now currently the largest rice producing country in Africa as a direct result of conscientious efforts to diversify the economy.
“Our age-long corruption and impunity challenges are no longer the norm. The fight against corruption is on course. Collectively and individually, a reorientation in our national life and thinking is emerging.”
The ruling party however admitted that it desires continued support of well-meaning Nigerians in order to “do more for the shared prosperity, peace and progress of our dear nation.”
