Chieftain Dele Momodu has pointed fingers at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for being the mastermind behind the numerous challenges facing the opposition party.
Momodu’s allegations shed light on the intricate dynamics of Nigerian politics, bringing to the forefront the ongoing power struggle between the two major political parties in the country.
He accused the President, Bola Tinubu of stifling opposition even after thriving as an opposition leader before his party dislodged PDP as the ruling party.
“APC will do everything possible to destroy opposition; buy those who are buyable, to terrorise those who are not buyable and make sure that the party is in disarray, that is all,” Momodu said.
He accused President Bola Tinubu of stifling opposition even after thriving as an opposition leader before his party dislodged PDP as the ruling party.
“You see part of my admiration for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos was the role he played as an opposition leader. But unfortunately, now we have a former opposition leader in government, and they don’t want opposition, it’s an irony,” he said.
The crisis that befell the main opposition party following the aftermath of the 2023 presidential election primary serves as a cautionary tale of the perils of internal division and disarray. As the party grapples with the repercussions of its defeat in the general election, it must embrace a spirit of renewal and reform to rebuild trust with the electorate and position itself as a viable alternative in future electoral contests.
By learning from past mistakes and charting a new course grounded in unity and purpose, the main opposition party can reclaim its stature and relevance in the political landscape.
The lingering crisis in the PDP has gotten to a point where some of its members are beginning to throw in the towel, with the most notable of recent being former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, who tendered his resignation last week.
In his resignation statement, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha cited the perceived failure of his party to effectively serve as an opposition force as a significant reason for his decision to step down. This sentiment was echoed by the respected journalist and publisher Dele Momodu, who concurred with Ihedioha’s assessment. Momodu’s alignment with Ihedioha’s viewpoint underscores a broader concern within the political landscape regarding the role and performance of opposition parties in Nigeria.
Ihedioha’s frustration with the perceived shortcomings of his party in fulfilling this critical function highlights the prevailing challenges faced by opposition parties in Nigeria. These challenges often include limited resources, fragmentation, internal conflicts, and a lack of cohesion in strategy and messaging.
The presidential aspirant under the PDP in 2023, attributing the party’s failings in playing the opposition role effectively to sabotage by the APC, reflects the complex and dynamic nature of Nigerian politics. This assertion underscores the fierce competition and power struggles characteristic of the country’s political landscape.
The allegation that the APC has infiltrated the PDP by purchasing allegiance from party members to create internal strife aligns with a recurring theme in Nigerian politics where defections and party loyalty can be fluid, driven by both ideological and opportunistic considerations.
The interplay of power dynamics, personal interests, and regional affiliations often shape political allegiances in a country as diverse and politically fragmented as Nigeria.
The claim made by the presidential aspirant underscores the high-stakes nature of Nigerian politics, where perceptions of betrayal and external interference can shape political discourse.
It also highlights the strategic imperative for political parties like the PDP to navigate internal challenges while confronting external pressures to fulfill their mandate as effective opposition forces in a vibrant democratic system.
However, Momodu is optimistic that the PDP will resolve its issues and bounce back to give the heat as a strong opposition. According to him, the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, is already making moves to bring every member of the party together to forge ahead as a strong family.
