609
By Myke Agunwa
The All Progressives Congress has dismissed claims by former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not win the 2027 general election.
Tambuwal, had during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, accused President Tinubu and the APC of plotting to destabilise opposition parties but vowed to join forces with others to defeat them in the 2027 elections.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Felix Morka in a statement on Sunday said the opposition leaders who had at some time occupied the highest office in the country, are so fixated on winning the 2027 general election that they are now bandying false narratives, peddling lies and engaging in smear campaigns designed to mislead the public.
Morka said that opposition leaders have lost focus and are driven only by greed and an obsession with power. He added that Tambuwal, like other opposition figures, failed to provide any evidence to back their claims.
“With nothing of value to offer Nigerians, these opposition elements have now turned political prophets trumpeting their base wishes and 2027 predictions that only truly portend the devastating defeat that awaits them at the voting thumbs of the good Nigerian electorate that have rejected them before, that rejected them in the recent bye-elections, and will reject them decisively, again, come 2027.
“As a party, we will continue to strengthen our internal democratic systems to stand stronger, and serve Nigerians better, while as a government, President Tinubu remains resolute and focused on rebuilding generationally neglected foundations of our economic life and repositioning the country for sustainable progress” he said.
Explaining what is expected of opposition politicians he continued, “It is not just about the freedom to zap in and out of political parties based on purely selfish political calculations. It is also not about the freedom to bandy false narratives, peddle lies and engage in smear campaigns designed to sow discord and mislead the public. Opposition politics is certainly not about weaponising grudges disguised as opposition critiques.
“It is perplexing that these opposition leaders – the likes of Tambuwal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Mr. Peter Obi and Mr. Rotimi Ameachi – who have occupied some of the highest political offices in our country have failed, horridly and disgracefully, to provide leadership, purpose, direction and vitality to their parties. Rather than focus their attention and touted leadership abilities on building viable opposition parties, they prefer to play the blame game, pointing fingers at the APC for failure that is entirely their own.
“A justification for democratic political opposition exists essentially in its role to hold the government accountable to govern in accordance with the rule of law and democratic norms. It is also about the duty of opposition leaders to take responsibility and accountability for their failure as leaders of their parties.
“Without effective leadership, opposition parties cannot perform their ascribed role of promoting accountability of governance or their role to provide credible policy alternatives or extending cooperation to the ruling party in pursuit of progress, and achieving the common good.”
Morka reminded the opposition leaders that they are not immune from investigation and prosecution if they run foul of the law.
“Tambuwal must believe that his status as an opposition politician confers some kind of immunity from investigation or prosecution by anti-corruption agencies. No member of the political opposition is above the law, just like no citizen is above the law.
“Tambuwal’s suggestion that his recent arrest and ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged cash withdrawals totaling N189 billion in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2022, indicates a politically-motivated clampdown on the opposition bellies the obscene and perverse entitlement mentality that these opposition leaders carry.
“Resorting to emotional blackmail against the government as a device to shield himself or anyone from lawful scrutiny, investigation or prosecution for suspected heinous economic crimes will not and should not cut it as opposition sacred cows.
“To be clear, for the umpteenth time, President Tinubu and our great Party are preoccupied with the important business of governance and do not have idle time to meddle in the internal affairs of parties that are already badly broken by their own failures and internal contradictions” Morka said.
He added that opposition leaders remain in denial while their parties allegedly drift, rudderless at sea, as their members peel away in droves.
“The opposition’s attempt at building a coalition remains a figment that is not coalescing due to the hostile takeover of the African Democratic Congress that is now unravelling in crippling dimensions, and the competing selfishness, desperation and arrogance of its leaders,” he added.