A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has declared the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the main culprit if Nigeria slides into a one-party state.
Okechukwu dismissed accusations that the ruling APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are responsible, describing such claims as misplaced. In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, he attributed the decline of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy to the PDP's alleged culture of impunity during its 16 years in power, from 1999 to 2015.
He accused the PDP of fostering a political culture dominated by "stomach infrastructure" and undermining opposition parties through acts of coercion and inducements. Okechukwu recalled the resilience of the defunct Action Congress (AC) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which he claimed maintained their independence with just one governor each despite pressure from the then-ruling PDP before the APC merger in 2013.
Highlighting the PDP’s internal issues, Okechukwu argued that the party’s disregard for its own rotational presidency convention and Section 7 of its constitution contributed significantly to its decline. He cited the party's decision to field Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, which he described as a "misjudgment" with long-term consequences, including the risk of a one-party state.
He further criticized the PDP for transforming the APC into a "rehabilitation center" for its members instead of building resilience and patience as a credible opposition party.
When questioned about APC’s role in addressing the nation’s economic hardship, Okechukwu insisted that the PDP remains responsible for any slide into a one-party state. On the economic challenges, he expressed optimism, noting several ongoing initiatives under President Tinubu’s administration.
He mentioned the reduction of fuel pump prices, efforts by the Livestock Ministry to resolve herder-farmer conflicts, and Tinubu’s negotiations with investors in the electricity sector, Eastern Corridor railways, and deep seaports. Okechukwu also commended the development commissions across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones for their efforts to attract foreign investment, expressing confidence that these measures would alleviate the economic challenges.
In conclusion, Okechukwu reiterated that the PDP’s historical failures, not the APC’s governance, should be blamed for any perceived threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
