Dictatorship looms in Nigeria – Secondus, Ekweremadu

…PDP suffering from defeat hangover- APC

From Taiwo Amodu and Fred Itua, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, passed a damning verdict on the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, accusing it of desperate moves to destroy the opposition.

But, the ruling party fired back and described the opposition party’s statement as a product of the, “ hangover of defeat it suffered during the last general elections”.

Speaking at the one- day national conference of the party held in Abuja, with the theme, ‘PDP and the Sustenance of Democratic Ideals in Nigeria’, the duo of Uche Secondus and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, acting national chairman of the party and deputy senate president respectively, accused the APC-led Administration of a deliberate design to destroy opposition parties and foist one party dictatorship on the nation.

Secondus saw the alleged interference of the Federal Government in the judicial pronouncements on Rivers, Taraba and Akwa-Ibom governorship elections and the invasion of the Akwa-Ibom Government House as measures taken by the ruling party to emasculate the main opposition party.

On his part, Senator Ike Ekweremadu advised PDP leaders to brace up for the challenges ahead as he noted that the former ruling party was a product of concerted efforts to confront military dictatorship.

Ekweremadu also, accused the Buhari administration of lack of a concrete economic blueprint to turn around the economy, which he claimed, was buoyant under the PDP- led Federal Government.

The PDP also faulted the portfolios assigned to the newly appointed ministers, saying it did not inspire the promised change.

But, reacting to the remarks of the PDP chieftains, the APC, in a statement issued yesterday, by its National Secretary, Malam Mai Mala Buni, lampooned the PDP, saying it was yet to recover from the hangover of its defeat in the general elections.

The APC statement read in part: “The argument of the PDP that the portfolios inspired no change was warped and a product of defeat hangover.

“The PDP should face its rebranding pursuit instead of running down a performing government. APC is not a party, which will assign portfolios to miscreants, thugs and mistresses as rampant during the misrule period of PDP.

“The task of rebuilding Nigeria is a responsibility of every citizen. Rather than sit on the fence to find faults, the opposition should join hands with the President to re-fix the nation…”

President Buhari has what it takes to lead, he is imbued with vision to redirect Nigeria to prosperity but he needs the cooperation of all citizens and groups.

“Under five months, President Buhari has saved the country from brinkmanship, plugged loopholes, placed premium on prudence and set a new template for probity and accountability. In line with the manifestoes of this party, the President has clearly defined his socio-economic policies. With a little more patience, Nigerians will soon have cause to smile.”

The ruling party reassured Nigerians that the campaign promises of President Buhari would be fulfilled, adding that President Buhari-led federal government would take Nigerians to the ‘Promised Land’.

Daily Sun