Cross River PDP, stop pretending to be in opposition and act your status as APC support group — public affairs analyst

Cross River PDP, stop pretending to be in opposition and act your status as APC support group — public affairs analyst

 

 

A Cross River-born public affairs analyst, Dr. Inyali Peter, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State to stop “pretending” to be in opposition, describing the party as a political support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

In a statement made public on Saturday, Dr. Peter alleged that the PDP, particularly in Cross River, has lost its independence and is now operating under the influence of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as both the “supreme leader and benefactor” of the remaining faction of the party.

 

He wrote:

With Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s faction joining the ADC, only Minister of FCT and the leader of both APC and PDP in Rivers State, Nysome Wike’s faction remains of what is now called the PDP. This implies that the remaining PDP faction, (PDAPC), functions more as an APC support group or a smaller wing of the APC.

 

In Cross River State, PDP members should stop pretending to be in opposition. Wike is the supreme leader and benefactor of the PDP in the state. When he speaks, everyone takes caution. Without Wike’s influence, no one currently holding office at the party or government level would be in their position today.

 

Pretending to oppose the APC where the FCT Minister, their benefactor now has a stake is akin to biting the hand that feeds them. From what we know about him, he does not tolerate such disloyalty. If they (PDP members in Cross River) wish to continue this pretence, they should openly denounce their loyalty to Wike and see how long they last in their positions.

 

The State Chairman of the APC, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, has been gracious enough not to demand that they formally register as an APC support group, as he did with other mega groups a few months ago. The leftover PDP faction should reciprocate this respect and goodwill by acting their role as APC support group.

 

One way to show they acknowledge their status and acting accordingly is to instruct their members to treat the APC as a principal partner and the umbrella under which they remain politically active. It’s good that they’re already kicking some of their former leaders who have joined or planning to join the ADC from their group. ADC is the party they should be opposing and not their main party, APC!

 

However, if they wish to act as opposition, they should consider joining the ADC, which has emerged as Nigeria’s main opposition party. Many APC members, particularly founding members, are also contemplating a move to the ADC, as they see little difference between their time in opposition and their current status as members of the party in government.

 

Inyali Peter, Ph.D.