An advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of instigating internal crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) to undermine democracy in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Monday, asserted that “the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is allegedly behind the turmoil as part of a strategic effort to weaken the oppositions and gradually implement an authoritarian regime similar to the communist governance structure in China.”
HURIWA highlighted destabilization activities, the group believes, are orchestrated by the APC.
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According to HURIWA, “the ruling party is deliberately sowing discord within the PDP and Labour Party to consolidate its grip on power.”
Drawing a parallel between the biblical story of the “hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob,” the group alleged that the APC is working behind the scenes to sabotage internal democracy within the opposition parties, while appearing uninvolved.
HURIWA was of the view that recent political upheavals in the PDP are direct result of the APC’s clandestine interference.
The group noted that the appointment of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, a prominent PDP figure, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was significant in fueling crisis in the PDP. HURIWA alleged that Wike’s appointment is part of a broader scheme to destabilize the PDP from within; noting that his loyalty to the opposition party is now in question, given his collaboration with the APC government.
HURIWA also condemned the decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exempt the FCT Ministry from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), a system designed to ensure transparency in revenue generation and allocation.
“The exclusion of the FCT Ministry from the TSA is an arbitrary move that plays into the hands of Wike, positioning him as a powerful force within the PDP who, despite holding office under the APC government, continues to wield influence over his party’s internal affairs”, HURIWA argued.
“This arbitrary exclusion of the FCT Ministry from the TSA is a dangerous precedent that threatens fiscal accountability and strengthens the suspicion that the APC is using key PDP figures like Wike to sabotage the opposition,” HURIWA declared.
The group emphasized that this strategy of instigating internal crisis in PDP is aimed at ensuring the PDP remains divided and weakened, which will, in turn, make it easier for the APC to tighten its hold on political power and move towards establishing a one-party state.
HURIWA also raised alarm over the ongoing internal leadership struggle within the Labour Party. The group noted the refusal of the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, to vacate office after his tenure had reportedly expired, as evidence of a seeming interference from the ruling APC.
HURIWA insisted that Abure’s continued hold on power, despite legal and constitutional challenges, is being propped up by external forces, particularly, the executive arm of the government.
HURIWA maintained that the APC’s apparent support for Abure is designed to cripple the Labour Party and weaken the political influence of its key leader, Peter Obi, who emerged as a significant challenger during the 2023 general elections.
“The APC is using Julius Abure to stifle the Labour Party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition.
“By destabilizing the Labour Party from within, the APC is ensuring that the party does not pose any significant threat in future elections, particularly, as Peter Obi continues to gain widespread support,” HURIWA declared.