Cletus Obun, an APC chieftain, reveals that destabilizing the PDP is a deliberate strategy by the ruling party, emphasizing its effectiveness as a non-violent political tool.
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Cletus Obun, has openly declared that destabilizing opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a deliberate strategy employed by the ruling party.
Obun, a former chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Cross River State, made this bold statement on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He described the tactic as a “good political weapon” that falls within the acceptable boundaries of democratic competition.
The remark follows accusations from Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the PDP, who attributed the ongoing crisis in his party to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Sowunmi had criticized Wike’s appointment in August, claiming it destabilized the PDP.
Responding to these allegations, Obun argued that destabilizing rival parties is part of healthy political engagement, provided it doesn’t lead to violence.
“If PDP comes out to say so, it’s the worst political confession to be ever made. If you’re saying that we’re able to infiltrate PDP and destabilize them, it’s part of our duty to do so, just as it is their work to also ensure that the APC is destabilized,” Obun stated. “So long as it’s not disruptive to become violent, it’s a good political weapon to use.”
Obun’s comments highlight the current state of disarray within Nigeria’s major opposition parties. Since the 2023 elections, both the PDP and the Labour Party have been grappling with internal crises, leaving them less effective in challenging the APC-led administration.
Observers suggest that these struggles may provide the APC with an advantage, as infighting among opposition parties weakens their ability to present a united front.
Political analysts argue that while the APC’s strategy might be effective, it raises ethical concerns about the broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic process.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the effectiveness of such tactics and their impact on governance and national unity remain hotly debated.
