PDP’s ‘16 locust years’ still haunting Nigeria – APC chieftain

Osita Okechukwu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of leaving a damaging legacy that continues to affect Nigeria.

In a statement responding to the PDP’s recent claims about an impending APC downfall, Okechukwu urged the opposition party to acknowledge its role in the nation’s challenges.

Okechukwu described the PDP’s 16 years in power as “locust years” characterized by corruption, mismanagement, and impunity.

According to him, the country was yet to recover “from the humongous culture of impunity and trust deficit PDP planted in our soil, among which are just to mention a few.”

He said, “Corruption which governed the privatization of our electricity value chain, a key to industrialization.

“Blatant rigging of 2007 general elections which the foremost beneficiary, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua out of good conscience and noble magnanimity publicly acknowledged the malfeasance which characterized his victory.

“Conscienceless sale of legislative and ministerial quarters, the rentage which annually is bleeding our treasury.

“The neglect of $23 billion Greenfield Refinery, which could have saved over $70 billion expended on importation of refined petroleum products and which simulated the economic hardship of today.”

The APC stalwart also praised the administrations of Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu for their restraint in not probing PDP’s alleged “squandermania.”

He stated that PDP leaders should count themselves lucky for not being investigated for their governance failures, which he said left Nigeria with trust deficits and economic hardship.

Okechukwu dismissed PDP’s assertion that Nigeria is ready to return the party to power, claiming that the APC is committed to rebuilding the nation despite the significant challenges inherited.

He urged Nigerians not to overlook the harm caused by PDP’s tenure and called for a continued focus on accountability and progress.