By Omeiza Ajayi, John Alechenu & Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA

The All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday tackled the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, and the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, over crisis in opposition parties allegedly caused by the ruling party.

Read Also: I, not Obasanjo, won 1999 presidential election – Olu Falae

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had in his speech delivered at a joint sitting of the National Assembly yesterday, said he would be delighted to see the opposition crisis remain in crisis.

But reacting to this yesterday, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of being behind the turmoil.

PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, in an interview with Vanguard, described the President’s remarks as ‘irresponsible and blatant falsehoods,’ insisting that the APC is clearly interfering in the affairs of opposition parties.

He said: “For me, it’s akin to the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob, whichever comes first. The truth is, President Tinubu’s statement to the National Assembly, claiming he has no hand in the opposition’s crisis, reeks of irresponsibility and blatant falsehood.

“The real issue lies in the failure of leadership within our state institutions and the flaws in our constitution, which grant the President excessive power to hire and fire generals and directors of security agencies.

“If these institutions were truly independent, free from his control, command, and influence, 90 percent of what is happening in the political arena would not occur.

“Not only has he subdued the security agencies, but it’s also an open secret that the Judiciary now dances to the tune of the Presidential Office.

“On a day like this, the President should have apologised to Nigerians, acknowledged his failures, and committed to working for the people.”

Opposition parties must unite against dictatorship — Atiku

On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged opposition parties and Nigerians to come together against what he described as a ‘creeping one-party dictatorship’ that threatens the country’s democracy.

Atiku, in a statement, warned that Nigeria is dangerously close to authoritarian rule, with the democratic progress made since June 12, 1993, now being slowly undone.

He accused the government of using national institutions as tools to suppress the opposition and of caring more about the rich elite than ordinary Nigerians.

The former Vice President said: “The ruling party and its federal government now govern with the unmistakable intent to dominate, subdue, and silence. Their tactics are not subtle. Opposition voices are being systematically erased.

“What we are witnessing is not governance, it is conquest. The gains of June 12 were hard-won. But sadly, the democratic promise that blossomed in 1999 is being steadily dismantled before our very eyes.”

He, however, noted that the effort to build a strong, united opposition is not about gaining power, but about doing what is right to protect democracy.

“This is not just a political contest; it is a moral crusade. A struggle to liberate our economy, democracy and our dignity from the grip of authoritarian forces.

“As long as oppression thrives, June 12 lives on, not just as memory, but as movement. The time to rise is now.”

Tinubu’s position worrisome — CUPP

Describing President Tinubu’s remarks over the internal crises plaguing Nigeria’s opposition political parties, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, yesterday, described it as disturbing.

National Secretary of the CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, in his response, said: 

“The president’s remarks about opposition parties and his claim that neither he nor his All Progressives Congress, APC, was interested in turning Nigeria into a one-party state, expose a troubling contradiction that undermines the principles of democracy.”

Ameh said: “His statement suggests not only awareness of the turmoil within these parties but also raises questions about his administration’s role in fostering such instability.

“For a leader tasked with upholding democratic values, Tinubu’s apparent glee at the opposition’s struggles is alarming.

“No true democrat revels in the weakening of political rivals, as a vibrant opposition is essential to a healthy democracy.

“The president’s words, spoken from both sides of his mouth, betray an unsettling agenda that could jeopardize Nigeria’s democratic future.

“The crisis rocking opposition parties, which Tinubu openly celebrates, is not a mere coincidence.”

APC to opposition: We can’t solve your self-inflicted crisis

Reacting to opposition political parties, the All Progressives Congress APC, yesterday, launched a push back against claims that it was trying to foist a one-party state on the country, saying it was not under any obligation to help resolve the self-imposed leadership crisis afflicting the opposition parties.

The APC spokesman, Mr Felix Morka, in a statement, said: “No democratic norm imposes any obligation on the ruling Party to intervene to solve the internal crisis or failure of leadership of opposition parties. The utter dysfunction and chaos in major opposition parties speak to their incapacity to govern themselves much less govern Nigeria.  

“Democratic governance remains the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges and this administration is putting democracy to work for the economy and for more peace, well-being and security of all our people.”

APC added that democracy stands as a preferred mode of governance not because of its perfection.

He said: “In its constitutive elements, democracy represents the most profound recognition and protection of the rule of law and fundamental liberties than other competing models of governance.  

“It is this understanding and resolve to deliver the fullness of democracy’s intrinsic and instrumental value for individual and national growth and progress that inspired our compatriots to wage sacrificial struggles to end arbitrariness, oppression, tyranny and dictatorship for the benefit of all Nigerians. We salute their vision, courage and love of country.  

“Fortuitously, today, our country is led by one of democracy’s finest, fearless and resilient champions, President Bola Tinubu, a visionary leader and bold reformer. Under his watch, our country has finally risen to its feet to tackle deep seated structural challenges and barriers to national growth and development.”