The Peoples Democratic Party’s defection wave, according to the Democratic Front, is more a reflection of the party’s internal issues than a conscious attempt to weaken the opposition.
This was said in a statement issued on Friday by TDF Chairman Malam Danjuma Muhammad.
We are unhappy that some opposition leaders in the nation have charged President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress with inciting animosity among its members.
Leaders of the opposition PDP are notable in the ongoing politics of lying and blackmail because their self-centered desire for power caused a serious crisis that ultimately led to the PDP’s collapse.
Since the PDP was defeated by the APC in the 2015 presidential election, the party has continuously been plagued by a self-inflicted crisis, which TDF is aware of, the group stated.
The group claims that since 2015, the party has failed to produce a viable presidential candidate, supporting its widely held perception as a dysfunctional political party.
“The opposition claims that President Tinubu or the APC had any fictitious influence or meddling in the recent wave of desertion that struck the PDP in Delta.
“It is a show of protestation by some members of the party against the scheming of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to remain perpetually its presidential standard bearer, against the dictates of the party’s internal democracy.
“We are also of the view that the relevant section of the constitution that guarantees individual freedom of association is not exclusively limited to any individual or group,” said TDF.
The advocacy group said it was the inalienable right of every Nigerian to join any group or political party of his or her choice.
“Therefore, the defection of PDP members in Delta State to APC should be seen within the context of their legitimate rights to freely associate with any group or party of their choice.
“It is our belief that claims of a looming one-party state by the opposition are spurious, baseless, and unfounded.
“The collapse of Atiku’s political coalition against President Tinubu was not based on external interference by anyone but a direct consequence of the mischief, which the coalition represented,” said the group.
It also called on leaders and members of opposition parties to eschew the politics of selfishness and bitterness.
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