The Labour Party has expressed concern over what it describes as danger of the All Progressive Congress (APC) turning Nigeria into a one party state when it finally assumes power in May this year, especially in the face of a decimated and cowed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is not prepared to play opposition politics.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the National Secretary of the Party Dr. Olukayode Ajulo.
“Events since the flag bearer of the APC was declared winner of the March 28 presidential election have shown that the APC is a party of intolerant go-getters, aggressive and vindictive political Alchemists who would not brook opposing views, much less allow an opposition party to survive.
With the APC, there is no doubt that our fledgling democracy is at risk of being mangled in the mauling onslaught of and devouring avariciousness of a one-party monster.
“A case in point is the haste with which the party has goaded on its members in Ekiti State to uprising, even when there is a case pending in court over crisis in the House of Assembly. They hurried to Ekiti led by 19 ousted lawmakers in a manner that can best be described as an invasion, even when an election is a mere one week away and in circumstances unbecoming of member of a party that claims to be an agent of change.
“And as though this mindless foray by a supposed progressive and national party is not enough, at the same time a monarch, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, openly threatened the Igbo with genocide in the Lagoon if they failed to vote for the APC candidate in the April 11 gubernatorial elections.
The APC owes the people more explanation than mere denial of link with the Oba, as the Oba has asserted that he picked Mr. AkinwumiAmbode as the next Governor of Lagos and that he was beyond control of the incumbent Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The statement further noted that, “in its bid to keep fomenting trouble, encouraging rancor and intimidating opposition, even before it takes power, the APC has turned Rivers State into a scorched land by spurious allegations and protests. It is interesting that while the APC is busy marching on Abuja and petitioning over results from the South-South and South-East where the party was trounced, it is yet to find its voice regarding the issue of underage voting non-usage of card readers in the core North where the party got unbelievable landslide victory. Clearly APC portends to form a government of double standards, civilian dictatorship and fascist domination.
“What this means is that the opposition must be prepared for an enduring battle to save our democracy. However, tidings from the PDP camp have been unpalatable. The Tsunami that is sweeping through the rank and file as members continue to decamp shamelessly to the APC is most unbecoming.
In Plateau State the PDP roof has caved in, Ondo, Abia, Adamawa, Kwara, Edo State the party leadership has kissed the dust and in several other states there is a contagion sweeping through the ranks like a strange virus that makes a lamb fall in love with the wolf. It is, to say the list, a dismal picture.
The PDP is not prepared to play its part as opposition. But then our democracy has to be saved from the abysmal danger of emerging fascism. The vultures and hawks who clearly have failed to learn a lesson from the exemplary response of President Goodluck Jonathan to the outcome of the March 28 presidential election must be reined in by building a strong opposition from the scratch.
The statement from the lawyer and activist concluded on the note that, “Our party, the Labour Party, believes that this is a task that must be done and done in earnest. We are ready to play our part. The Labour Party is ready to bell the cat. It is an onerous duty. To save our democracy and Our country Nigeria is a task that must be done. It is time to act.”
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