The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the leadership of the
All Progressive Congress (APC) of being self-centred and dictatorial,
warning that the growing anti-democratic behaviour of the opposition
party if not checked could undermine Nigeria’s democratic structure.
In
a statement on Saturday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa
Metuh, also described APC leaders as “incurable despots who have since
instituted a reign of impunity characterised by brazen dictatorship,
imposition and victimisation within the APC”.
The ruling political
party also cautioned that “those expecting free and fair primaries for
the selection of APC candidates for the 2015 general election should
wake up to reality before it becomes too late”.
It
advised all lovers of democracy still in the APC to immediately quit as
they are not likely to enjoy any democratic tenet under despotic
leaders who are not disposed to divergent views.
The PDP said the
APC had shown itself to be “nothing but a party of ill-bred, frustrated
and intolerant politicians, bad losers for whom resorting to personal
attacks, blackmail and mudslinging, in addition to promoting violence
has become an ideology”.
“That the APC is a party of self-centred
and dictatorial politicians with no regard for democratic principles is
well known to all. However, we have noted a disturbing pattern, wherein
the APC leaders now resort to personal attacks on people when they dump
their party.
“The vitriolic attacks, insults and threats on former
Kano Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, his Sokoto State counterpart, Attahiru
Bafarawa, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode and several others
who were labelled ‘traitors and political misfits’ by APC leaders when
they left the party easily come to mind.
“Nigerians ponder. Why is it that the APC only realises that their
members are traitors and misfits when they exercise their freedom of
association and leave due to its undemocratic, destructive and
anti-people agenda?
“One notable example is the recent attack by
the APC’s unelected Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, against their former
member, Chief Tom Ikimi, who he branded a ‘sellout’ and ‘unreliable’
personality because he left their fold”, the statement read.
The
ruling party questioned why Tinubu had not voiced his claims that Mr
Ikimi was unreliable and a sell-out who could not be trusted with the
leadership of the APC before he left the party.
“Did Tinubu not
know all these when Ikimi was selected to lead the negotiation for the
merger agreement that resulted in the formation of the APC?”, the party
questioned.
It also berated Tinubu for boasting that he will produce his party’s
presidential candidate in the 2015 general election, an action PDP said
exposed his contempt for democratic due process and the worthlessness of
any selection process that may be organised by the APC.
Noting
that those who resist the impunity in the APC are continuously
victimised, thoroughly insulted and branded, the PDP, however, urged all
well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy still in the APC to be
bold and leave before it becomes too late.
It also advised the APC
leaders to learn to be more decorous, eschew bitterness in their
dealings and understand that in a democracy, citizens must at all times
be allowed to freely exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights.