National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yusuf Tanko, has claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government is rattled by the defection of former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other politicians, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 election.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Tanko said this during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday.
Tanko questioned why the ruling party, with over 30 governors, is afraid of running for a free and fair election.
He said, “As far as I am concerned, a lot of people who have seen what has transpired within the short period of time, the movement, the political party, how Peter Obi came into the party and mobilised people into the party, Alhaji Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso mobilising, more people are coming, that of course scared the government in power.
“I find it difficult to understand, the government that has already been able to get 31 or 32 state governors behind him, why should he be afraid of running for a free and fair election.
“The checkmating or the funding that is needed, or the candidate who may not have the money to bribe and pay for votes to win the election.
“All of these processes were made in such a way that it is difficult for normal political parties to win elections, and in this situation, even those who are trying to go beyond that are being strangulated, just like the case in the ADC.”
According to Tanko, there are moves to impose a one-party state and sideline other candidates from contesting the presidential elections, despite efforts to present the process as seamless and free.
He, however, advised the ruling party to focus its strength on delivering its promise to the people.
He added, “Democracy is about the people, and the people are saying this is the way we want to go; you can’t deny us, and there are more in the population.
“The more you try to hold them down, the angrier they get. I don’t know whether the strategic department of the government knows these. The more you get the people angry, the more you lose them.”
