The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over what it has called a steady erosion of democratic values under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Nigerians commemorate 34 years since the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election was annulled.
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who won the canceled election that is generally considered to be the freest and fairest in Nigeria, was accused by the PDP in a sharply worded response on Wednesday of disrespecting his legacy by moving toward dictatorship.
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told Vanguard that he was deeply concerned about the state of the country’s democracy and accused the Tinubu administration of putting personal interests and cronyism before of constitutional governance.
“Are we practicing democracy now?” Ologunagba said. Is it individualism, cronyism, or democracy? We will make a statement. Don’t be concerned about it.
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In agreement, Timothy Osadolor, the deputy national youth leader for the PDP, criticized Tinubu’s leadership style, claiming it is incompatible with the democratic principles he previously championed when serving in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
“Among the NADECO members who advocated for June 12, President Tinubu was one of the early frontliners. That’s the democracy we have now,” Osadolor remarked.
He called the current administration’s contempt for court orders and democratic standards “brazen” and “worse than military rule.”
“Unlike during military control, we have witnessed blatant attempts to suppress democratic tendencies in the country. Court orders are blatantly ignored and ignored.
He went on to say, “History will always refer to his administration, not those of his appointees or surrogates.”
