PDP calls Fubara’s exit ‘self-inflicted injury’, says APC drifting Nigeria towards one-party state
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the recent defection of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as unfortunate and “self-inflicted injury”, adding that the current trend poses serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic balance, as the country drifts towards a one-party state.
This was made public in a statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Ini Ememobong, where the PDP stressed that the political development in Rivers State was a reflection of the gradual destruction of the nation’s democratic norms and the influence of powerful individuals over institutions of the state.
“This news, as pitiful as it is, is an exemplar of the old legal maxim volenti non fit injuria, meaning ‘to one who is willing, no harm can be done’,” Ememobong said, adding that neither the PDP nor any stakeholder should be blamed for the consequences of Fubara’s deliberate choices that culminated in his defection.
“Everyone who has followed the developments that culminated in this uneventful defection will recall that the Governor willingly travelled the path that took him to this destination,” the statement said.
“Whilst a person who is at a crossroad of threats of existential proportion will most likely suffer from temporary amnesia caused by trauma, the Governor should have nothing less than praise for our party, civil society organisations, and all Nigerians who freely stood up in his defence since this crisis started until he capitulated.
“It is our prayer that the Governor should not suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, where a victim falls in love with his captor,” Ememobong added.
The party stressed that the situation in Rivers bears testament to a democratic challenge in the country, where individuals overpower institutions, using federal might to subdue political opponents, which according to the party poses threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
“The Rivers situation is a testament to the dysfunctional nature of our democracy, where individuals are bigger and stronger than institutions and can use the apparatus of the Federal Government to obfuscate political life out of their opponents and bring them to their knees”.
Accusing the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) of seeking political dominance at the expense of democratic norms, the PDP said:
“Finally, we reiterate to Nigerians and the global community that with the unrelenting disposition of the ruling party towards the attainment of a one-party state, and the constriction of the political space, democracy is under severe attack in Nigeria. Everyone must rise together to oppose this ignoble trip toward electoral authoritarianism.”
