‘Ganduje highly committed to democratic ethos’— Chief Okpala

By Jude Opara

Amidst claims by some opposition politicians that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje is gradually talking like a dictator, the sen6ior Special Assistant to the Chairman, Chief Oliver Okpala has given assurance that his principal remains an unwavering and committed democratic norm.
In a statement yesterday, the aide said that Dr. Ganduje believes in the practice of democratic principles and ideals just as he remains unshakable in his dedication to Nigeria as a nation.
Chief Okpala was reacting to recent criticisms by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties over an alleged usage of the expression; “APC will capture two other states after Ondo” credited to Dr. Ganduje at a recent stakeholders meeting of the APC in Ondo state.
It could be recalled that the National Publicity Secretary (NPS) of the PDP, Mr. Debo Ologunagba had in a statement portrayed Ganduje as an undemocratic personality, who does not believe in the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.
But Chief Okpala in the statement maintained that even before the present democratic dispensation, Ganduje had contested and won important positions in reputable political organizations like the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
The Senior Special Assistant said the PDP was a party in crisis that cannot put its house in order, therefore unable to see clearly.
He described Ologunagba’s statement as a clear show of ignorance and deep inadequacy in the terrain of language proficiency.
“It is shameful that Ologunagba and other PDP chieftains are angling for Ganduje’s jugular over a simple comment portraying the desire of the APC to win the South West states into its fold. What is wrong with that?
“Ologunagba and his party are only crying because of the imminent defeat starring them in Ondo just like they were roundly beaten in Edo.
According to him, “It is important to note that the word capture allegedly used by Ganduje is not negative on its own, but the PDP has added “Forcefully” to it in an attempt to mislead the public.
“Ganduje never used the word forcefully and this kind of mischief is what these misguided PDP hawks are known for.
“Nigerians have not forgotten how the PDP, during its days in power threw caution to the wind and sought to stifle all opposition and destroy the nation’s democracy right from 1999 till 2015 when they were roundly rejected by Nigerians.
“The ghost of political debauchery and intolerance are still hunting the PDP till today. Trying to hang their evil toga on Ganduje will not exorcise their party of that demon”, Okpala added.