Enugu-based APC Chieftain Warns Against One-Party System
A former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has cautioned against the emergence of a one-party democratic governance system in Nigeria. According to him, some politicians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who are now backing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had previously promoted a one-party system when they were part of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okechukwu pointed out that the ADC and its leaders, such as Dele Momodu, are fostering a one-party system, contrary to their claims that the ruling APC is responsible.
The APC chieftain cited the 2022 PDP presidential primary as an instance where the zoning principle was breached, leading to the party's decline. He emphasized that the zoning principle was a fundamental element of Nigeria's Fourth Republic, designed to promote unity, equity, and national cohesion. Okechukwu argued that adherence to zoning has historically ensured a sense of belonging across Nigeria's diverse regions, which cannot be disregarded by the opposition.
The emergence of a one-party system in Nigeria would be a disaster for the country's democracy. With the APC already controlling 32 states, the opposition parties are right to be concerned. However, it is ironic that the ADC, which is now accusing the APC of promoting a one-party system, has its own leaders who have a history of promoting such a system when they were in the PDP. This raises questions about the ADC's commitment to multi-party democracy.
