Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Bakare Majeed
Published on 2024-04-01 04:24:09
Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has rejected the suggestion made by some opposition politicians to form a merger in order to overthrow the ruling party. Specifically, Mr. Okechukwu criticized the proposal put forth by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) member, Pat Utomi, for a merger before the 2027 general election.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has been advocating for a coalition among the main opposition parties. Recently, he urged all opposition parties to unite in a formidable coalition to challenge the ruling party.
While there have been talks about a potential merger between parties, no concrete steps have been taken to make it a reality. Mr. Okechukwu emphasized that the current situation in Nigeria, which would enable opposition parties to form a strong coalition analogous to the defeat of the PDP in 2015, is significantly different. He stressed that removing an incumbent president should not be taken lightly but should be a conscious effort to replace an underperforming administration.
Mr. Okechukwu highlighted the socio-economic differences between 2015 and 2024, noting that despite the challenges faced today, both local and international communities recognize the focus, vision, and courage of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He acknowledged the economic hardships but commended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which have gained international confidence.
While acknowledging the importance of a robust opposition coalition for Nigeria’s democracy, Mr. Okechukwu challenged Atiku, Utomi, and others to articulate the economic principles that would underpin the coalition. He pointed out that the leading presidential candidates in 2023 all espoused neo-liberal ideologies, emphasizing the need for clarity on the economic philosophy of the proposed coalition.
Mr. Okechukwu also noted that President Tinubu recognizes the challenges his policies pose and highlighted the support from the international community and the potential for foreign direct investment in the country. He compared President Tinubu’s expectations to those of President Buhari, suggesting that President Tinubu’s local buy-in would increase over time.
Drawing parallels with the Senegalese opposition’s journey to political success, Mr. Okechukwu emphasized the gradual progress and strategic decisions that led to their electoral victories. He underscored the importance of building a broad-based coalition and cautioned against leaders who insist on being on the ballot to form such alliances.
In conclusion, Mr. Okechukwu called on Atiku, Utomi, and others to learn from the Senegalese example and work towards a sustainable coalition based on clear economic principles. He highlighted the need for leaders to prioritize the greater good and unity over personal ambitions to build a strong and viable opposition coalition.
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