Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has pointed fingers at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the main culprit if Nigeria were to transition into a one-party state.
In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu dismissed claims that the governing party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were to blame for any such development, labeling it as a misplaced blame game.
According to Okechukwu, the PDP should be held responsible for any decline of Nigerian democracy into a one-party state. He accused the PDP of instilling a culture of impunity and corruption during its sixteen years in power (1999-2015).
Okechukwu appealed to Nigerians to remember a time before the APC merger when the opposition parties, including the defunct Action Congress and Congress for Progressive Change, operated with only one governor each, despite financial temptations offered by the PDP.
He noted that the PDP’s stomach infrastructure syndrome was a significant factor in the potential transition to a one-party state as they influenced more than ten governors to defect.
The founding APC member also criticized the PDP for disregarding conventions within their party, like the mandatory rotation of the presidency between the north and south. He suggested that these actions, including the recent miscalculations by key PDP figures, could lead to unintended consequences like a one-party state.
When asked about the economic challenges facing the country, Okechukwu reiterated that the PDP should be held accountable for the potential transition to a one-party state. He expressed confidence in the APC’s plans to address economic issues, such as reducing fuel prices and resolving conflicts between herders and farmers.
Okechukwu concluded by highlighting the APC’s efforts to attract foreign investors to stimulate economic growth and alleviate hardships across different regions of the country.
