The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the decision of state governors to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to its fold, saying such moves are within their constitutional rights.
In a statement on Monday signed by Barr. Felix Morka, the party’s national publicity secretary, the APC criticised Daily Trust over its editorial titled “APC Should Learn From History,” describing it as biased and misleading.
Morka said the editorial, which claimed that the governors’ defections threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and could lead to a one-party state, was “a reckless display of ignorance and editorial prejudice.”
“The paper failed miserably to explain how the exercise by governors of their constitutional freedom of association threatens multiparty democracy or signifies a descent into a one-party system,” he said.
The APC maintained that no law prevents elected officials from changing political parties, arguing that the right to association is a fundamental democratic freedom.
“If that was ever the intendment of the framers of our constitution, it would have been clearly stated and not left to Daily Trust’s warped conjecture,” the statement added.
Morka said the APC reserves the right to admit any citizen who subscribes to its membership, noting that the party has not coerced or lured any governor into defecting.
He said defections into the APC reflect the weakness and internal disarray of opposition parties, adding that such political movements are a normal feature of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“Defections in Nigerian politics are neither new nor one-sided. In Daily Trust’s perspective, defections to APC are a threat to democracy, but defections from APC to opposition parties advance democracy. That double standard is glaring and unacceptable,” Morka said.
The party also dismissed claims that Nigeria is heading towards a one-party system, describing the argument as “baseless and politically motivated.”
“One-party states are not created by anyone’s wishful thinking. They require constitutional and legislative reforms that are both undesirable and unattainable in Nigeria’s multiparty democracy,” ” the statement read.
Morka said about 19 political parties remain active in Nigeria, stressing that the growth of the APC should not be mistaken for the erosion of democratic plurality.
He urged Daily Trust to adhere to the principles of responsible journalism and avoid publishing conjectures as editorial opinion.
“Our great party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu remain resolute in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda to improve the lives of Nigerians and build a stronger, more prosperous nation,” Morka said.