The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has frowned at the dictatorial tendencies of the national ruling party, the APC, saying they are not democratic in any way.
The party was reacting to the report that the minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike directed the Federal Capital Development Administration, FCDA, to seal up the PDP National Secretariat Abuja over alleged nonpayment of ground rents over the years.
In an interview with the national publicity Secretary, Effiong Nyong in Calabar, the ADC called on those they described as true democrats to resist antics of the ruling party, viewing their action as ’emerging dictatorship’.
“The seal up is a tragic testimony of our democratic evolution. It’s so unfortunate that this backwardness is being promoted by the APC, the ruling party.
“The clampdown is a wake up call to all true democrats to resist the emerging dictatorship of the ruling party
“It should be seen as anti-people. This trend, if allowed to stand, will further take Nigeria down the hill of political embarrassment in the comity of democratic nations of Africa and the world.”
Effiong maintained that their coalition has become a necessity to challenge the anti-democratic forces in Nigeria who have over the years deceived the citizens.
ADC said the APC has been pretending to be democrats which they insist they are not.
“These pretenders claim to have fought the military but it is clear that even the late General Sanni Abacha regime was more tolerant.
“Nigerians must rise against this evil and note that we are all in this together.
“This is not about the PDP but against all Nigerians as we are all feeling the pains and suffering of bad governance under the current dispensation.
“All Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation must come against the evil intimidation and oppression in whatever guise it is presented”.
Reacting to ADC and others, a stalwart of the ruling party, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential adviser, said attempts by opposition parties to politicize the lawful action of the ruling party has missed the point entirely.
“No entity, regardless of status, should be exempt from legal and financial obligations. The law is impartial and does not discriminate based on political affiliations.
“Every organization, including political parties, must abide by its mandates. The government’s resolve to enforce compliance should be commended rather than criticized.”
Obono-Obla reiterated that a political party, which serves as the foundation for national leadership recruitment, must set an example of integrity and responsibility.
According to him, It is baffling that a party generating substantial revenue from nomination forms would neglect its financial obligations for over two decades.”
