APC Chieftain Tasks PDP On Leading Opposition Parties

The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Nze Duru, has charged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to play its role as the leading opposition party in Nigeria.

Duru said this when he spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

He lauded former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s calls for the party to lead the course of opposition parties against the APC.

“As to Atiku’s charge, we wish him good luck, we knew that about two, three months ago, such a call was made, and the Labour Party said they were not in any position to undertake such an unholy engagement.

“They rather ask PDP to join hands with them than join hands with PDP. We saw a similar statement that was also made by the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

“I think that for me, we will continue to ensure and hope that the opposition party will rise to the occasion, and give a formidable, constructive engagement to our political party.

“It is theirs to provide the opposition, but it is also for APC to continue to take the lead,” Duru said.

Independence of the judiciary 

He also lauded the Supreme Court judgment on eight governorship elections, describing it as commendable.

“The law is based on facts and if for anything, I want to believe that we should applaud our judiciary for again, rising to the occasion.

“And then espousing the law in a way that Nigerians are confident that they can actually take their differences and grievances to an impartial arbiter.

“And there will be justice dispensed in a way that is satisfactory to all parties involved,” he said.

Duru said the judgment had further proven the independence of the judiciary.

He added that the judgment gave confidence to both the political actors that the only way they could win election was through the electorate.

“In my view, I think it is a moment for Nigerians to be happy. I also believe that it has in a way doused tension in the country.

“I did not see any politics in the judgment. I did not also see any arrangement on the basis of that. What did happen was that at the trial court, they understood the facts differently.

“At the Court of Appeal they also understood it, but more importantly at the Supreme Court which is the final arbiter in the judicial process, a different understanding was given to it and a pronouncement was made accordingly,” Duru said.

NAN/Victoria Ibanga