The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted strongly to a recent statement by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who claimed that some “key ADC figures” would be received into the ruling party next week.
In a statement issued by the Coalition for ADC, the party described the APC’s declaration as evidence of desperation and a sign of declining public trust in the ruling party.
According to the ADC, the APC’s attempt to woo members of other political parties, despite having governors and senators across the country, reflects its growing insecurity and loss of credibility among Nigerians.
“This statement underscores a deep realisation by the ruling party that it cannot be saved even if all the governors in Nigeria defected to it,” the ADC said. “Even with all the governors and senators they have been bragging about, the APC is still desperate for ADC members.”
The party accused the APC of being responsible for the hardship facing Nigerians and claimed that no number of defections could redeem its image.
“The truth remains that the APC realises that it has become the most hated party in Nigeria, and no amount of defections can save it from Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods the ruling party has destroyed since it came to power,” the statement read.
The ADC further described the ongoing wave of defections to the APC as a “gang-up against the people” by members of the political elite seeking to preserve their personal interests.
“Ordinary Nigerians understand this recent gale of high-profile defections as a betrayal by a ruling class that has abandoned the people in abject poverty while pursuing self-preservation,” the statement continued.
Challenging the APC Chairman to name the alleged defectors, the ADC said, “We wonder if the APC has run out of governors to seduce that it has now turned to shadowy references to unnamed ADC members. If these individuals are so ‘key,’ let the chairman of the hated party mention their names.”
The statement concluded by likening the APC’s conduct to that of the PDP during its years of dominance, warning that the ruling party would eventually face the same fate.
“The APC will also learn the bitter lesson that real democratic power lies with the people and not a few power merchants,” the ADC declared.
