By Jude Opara
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the situation as a betrayal of democratic ideals.
Obi, in a post on X on Thursday, said it was ironic that individuals who once positioned themselves as defenders of democracy and human rights during the era of Sani Abacha were now allegedly undermining those same principles.
He lamented that those who fought for democracy under the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) now appear to be acting in ways worse than the military regime they opposed, adding that “power indeed reveals character.”
He wrote: “Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame.
“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed.
“today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character.”
Peoples Daily reports that Obi’s reaction follows the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
The Commission also said it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
INEC further disclosed that it has suspended recognition of all factions within the party and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organised by the rival groups, pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
