Cynthia Ezegwu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has dismissed fears that Nigeria is sliding towards a one-party system, regardless of the rising variety of defections from opposition events to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the PDP Vice Chairman for Lagos Central, Mr. Hakeem Olalemi, stated the wave of defections wouldn’t weaken the opposition or decide the end result of the 2027 normal elections.
Olalemi insisted that the PDP remained sturdy and deeply rooted within the hearts of Nigerians, describing the latest defections as acts pushed by egocentric pursuits relatively than ideology or nationwide concern.
“I can tell anyone that cares to hear that PDP will still stand strong after our convention in November,” Olalemi stated. “Nigerians are not ready for a one-party state because it will bring authoritarianism and dictatorship. Nigerians want a multi-party democratic system.”
The assertion follows a sequence of high-profile defections, together with these of Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, alongside along with his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who’ve all joined the APC in latest months.
Reacting to the development, Olalemi argued that real leaders ought to keep within the PDP to assist tackle inside challenges relatively than abandoning the social gathering.
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“People move from one party to another, but what are their reasons for moving from PDP to APC?” he requested. “If there are crises in the family or home where we were born, should we then leave for another person’s house? What is expected is to wait and resolve the crises.”
The PDP chieftain added that the defections wouldn’t derail the opposition’s mission to rebuild and supply a reputable different to Nigerians forward of the following elections.
“If running away from PDP is what makes them men, we shall see what happens in 2027,” he stated, expressing confidence that Nigerians would reject one-party dominance on the polls.
