Put Nigeria’s democracy on recovery path, allow free, fair elections – ADC tells Tinubu
By Tunde Opalana
The National Chairman of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dr Ralph Okey Nwosu has charged President Bola Tinubu to put the nation’s democracy on the path of recovery by ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in the country.
He said President Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress, APC should allow free participation of candidates of all registered political parties.
He appealed to the president to “please let’s change the narrative that the APC has consistently created.”
Nwosu spoke during the presentation of flag and certificate of return to the ADC governorship candidate for the coming Anambra State gubernatorial election Mr John Chuma Nwosu at the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
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He assured party members of the readiness of the ADC leadership to field candidates not only in the Anambra governorship poll, but in all bye- elections ahead, ahead of the 2027 general election, adding that the party need the assurance of free playing ground for all parties by Tinubu administration and the electoral umpire.
The national chairman said “with elections coming from now onwards, before long, INEC is going to announce dates for the by-elections.
Allow free and fair elections. Mr. President. After the by-elections, the next election will be Anambra elections.
“Some of these young men are ready to contest elections. Allow them free field. Allow them to experience the freedom and the real ethos and tenets of democracy. Allow the people’s votes to count.
“If you do this, I say that Nigeria democracy is again on the path of recovery. So that is the special appeal we want to make to Mr. President. Because with the by-elections, over 18 elections will be held.
“Then after that, a number of elections. After that, the FCT elections. We want to see some real democracy start to take place.
“From the election that brought the President in, to all other elections that took place after Mr. President got elected, they were all flawed”, he said.
“Two days ago, he (Tinubu) marked his second year in office. Mr. President, after your second year, if all the other elections start to look right, and you start to show that you are a democrat, we will appreciate you each time you show that”, he said.
Dr Nwosu challenged the Tinubu administration over its policies which he said are not good for the stability of the economy and which have negative impact on the welfare of the citizenry.
He said, “the reality as far as this country is concerned is clear for everyone to see. Poverty level is at 75%.The inflation, you cannot talk about. Insecurity is everywhere.
“But the maddening type now is that the federal government is playing politics with central banks and our monetary policies.
“All the local contractors in Nigeria have not been paid. Our local debts have amounted to more than 100 and something trillion Naira. And the President will brag that they have cleared foreign debts.
“You cannot play politics with the financial institutions. The country will go down more and more. Our monetary policy is flawed.
“They manipulate figures for the purpose of their local politics. You can play politics almost everywhere, but leave the central bank alone. Let the figures show for themselves.
“Manipulating our monetary policy for politics is completely destroying the tenets of our democracy. Therefore, as members of ADC, we beg our President that they should let the central bank be as independent as possible. So that our recovery will be easier for us.
“So the central message is please allow the central bank to remain independent. And then also, number two, allow the local businesses to come up. Closing up all the local businesses so that the money that is supposed to be paid to local contractors are kept.”
Responding after receiving the party instruments to contest, the Anambra governorship candidate, Mr Chuma Nwosu said that he is committed to building a government anchored on transparency, accountability, inclusivity and sustainable development.
“Now is the time to come together for the good of all, most especially for the good of Ndi Anambra. Today, the people of Anambra State have a credible alternative to the incumbent”.
