The ruling party in Nigeria, All Progressives Congress (APC) has claimed that it lacks a strong opposition party; thus, the nation on a fast pace to becoming a one-party state.

All Progressive Congress

This was revealed by the party in a press statement sent directly to Vanguard on Monday by its Assistant Director (Publicity), Edegbe Odemwingie and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.

In the statement, APC rebukes the actions of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) describing it as “joke, irresponsible and rudderless”

According to the statement, “Nigeria deserves a strong, vibrant opposition to play its conventional role in the polity to deepen democracy. Sadly, Nigeria is becoming a one-party state. As a party that believes in democracy and progressive politics, we cannot pretend any longer.”

“Democracy cannot be said to be fully operational in a situation where the supposed ‘main’ opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become a joke, irresponsible and rudderless.”

Stating its perceived importance of opposition, the ruling party noted; “Even as the governing party, we recognise the importance of rigorous and intelligent interrogation of our policies and programmes by the opposition.

“There are a lot to gain by our democracy and our country in an atmosphere of robust engagement by responsible and patriotic opposition. The political system we practice has important roles for the political parties outside of power. The system envisaged that such parties would provide alternative viewpoints and put the governing party on its toes.

Expressing its dissapproval at the tactics employed by the main opposition party in the country (PDP), APC commented; “… the PDP and their minions have in the name of opposition continued to distract the government and Nigerians with their post-election delusions, salacious fictions, conjured rifts in government circle and of course the lowest of it all, the pathetic and senseless Jubril of Sudan malicious tale, among other fake news. Tragic!

“It is sad that PDP has finally proved incapable of filling this important democratic space. The other mushroom parties are even worse. Some of the smaller parties are filled with incurable charlatans issuing infantile weekly press statements on behalf of the PDP. Our democracy deserves better.

Also attacking the Congress of United Political Parties (CUPP), APC said; “The so-called Congress of United Political Parties (CUPP), which could have filled the vacuum and engaged the APC administration in useful debates over governance, has become a comedy theatre group and frontline PDP minion.

“CUPP has the unenviable mandate to try to intimidate and blackmail important state institutions such as INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies, on behalf of PDP with the hope of gaining political advantage having been rejected by the majority of the voters.

“As the current administration tackles our national challenges and at a period we all should focus on issues of nation-building, the best PDP and its acolytes are offering is a distraction.”

The party said its current administration (Buhari’s administration) will ensure the revival of the nation’s economy.

“While the PDP wallows in its obscene conducts, Nigeria under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration will continue to consolidate on its status as Africa’s largest economy.

• ⤖EFCC storms ‘Yahoo-Boys’ party in Osogbo, arrests 94 suspects

• ⤖Man remanded for allegedly defiling friend’s 10-year-old daughter

“Despite inheriting a battered economy, the administration is growing the economy after pulling it out of recession.”

Stating some of its achievements, the party said; “The administration’s record investments in agriculture, social investments and infrastructure projects are paying off hugely.

“For one, we are now currently the largest rice producing country in Africa as a direct result of conscientious efforts to diversify the economy.

“Our age-long corruption and impunity challenges are no longer the norm. The fight against corruption is oncourse. Collectively and individually, a reorientation in our national life and thinking is emerging.”

The party, however, called for the continued support of well-meaning  Nigerians promising it will do more for peace and progress of the country.

Vanguard News Nigeria.