From CHARLES ONYEKWERE
African Democratic Congress,ADC, has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, and the All Progressives Congress,APC, for initiating discussions on zoning their 2027 presidential tickets.
The coalition party stated that such moves show a disregard for the hardship that Nigerians are facing.
Speaking on a television programme yesterday, ADC’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted both parties for focusing on 2027 politics rather than addressing the current challenges.
“The general election is in 2027; it is still two years away. Why are we so preoccupied and behaving in such a way that Nigerians begin to look at the political elite across the divide as if we don’t care about them?” he asked.
It would be recalled that on Monday, PDP zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the south, while retaining its national chairmanship in the north.
Similarly, in May, 22 APC governors and other organs of the ruling party endorsed President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, as the party’s sole candidate for the poll.
Both decisions were justified on the grounds of maintaining Nigeria’s unwritten tradition of power rotation between the north and south.
But Abdullahi dismissed the moves as political manoeuvre, saying both parties are insensitive to Nigerians plight.
“They are very experienced people and they know the implications of showing their way too early. So, it’s either they are playing a predetermined game or baiting some people to come around,” he said.
The ADC, he noted, has several qualified aspirants who have expressed interest in contesting the presidency, contrary to claims that the coalition was formed to serve a single candidate.
“In the papers yesterday, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar came out to say he is going to run for president. Don’t forget we still have the likes of Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and others who are interested in running, and we have reiterated that they have equal chance,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that ADC is not under pressure from the decisions of the PDP and APC, but is focused on strengthening its structures nationwide.
“We are not bothered with what the PDP has done. Nigerians can see right into it. PDP people are not naïve; they are very experienced politicians. For them to take that decision two years ahead of the presidential election, there must be a game plan and we can see right through it. We are not pressured; we are focused on our party,” he said.
According to him, ADC is yet to deliberate on zoning its presidential ticket, insisting that such discussions will come at the appropriate time.
“What is most important to us is to convince Nigerians that we represent that alternative that can bring respite to their current sufferings. As far as ADC is concerned, we are not having that kind of conversation now.
“We are focused on mobilising at the grassroots and putting up structures,” Abdullahi added.
