Former Presidential Aspirant, and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Dr. SKC Ogbonnia has derided the ruling party, describing it as a safe haven for corrupt kingpins indicted while in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ogbonnia, who stated this on Monday, in a statement said that neither the presidential candidate of the party, Ahmed Tinubu nor the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar can in good conscience campaign against corruption in Nigeria.
He said, “Today, with Asiwaju Tinubu as its National Leader and presidential candidate, the APC does not appear to have any ideological, moral, or ethical difference with the much-discredited PDP. Today, my party has shamelessly become a safe haven for corrupt kingpins indicted while in PDP.
“To make matters worse, the two presidential candidates of APC and PDP, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, respectively, are two of the most perfidious poster boys for Nigeria’s corrupt oligarchy. In short, neither Atiku nor Tinubu can in good conscience campaign against corruption.
“It is pertinent to note that no Nigerian leader, whether military or civilian, has ever assumed the governance of the country with the degree of mercenary influence cum notoriety commonly equated with Atiku and Tinubu.”
Although, he said he remains a member of the ruling APC, he joined some other Nigerians to endorse Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the next president of Nigeria to salvage what is remaining of the country.
“Though I remain a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), I must not support its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The decision to endorse the candidate of an opposition party did not come easy. But there comes a time to say: enough is enough.
He added, “A puzzling preface is that neither fellow party members nor ordinary Nigerians can claim to know who Ahmed Tinubu truly is. Everything about the man is shady—from his name, state of origin, the schools attended, certificates received, his record in America to his true source of income, let alone any true intention of seeking the presidency, apart from an arrogant claim that it is his turn to rule Nigeria.
“Besides the shady background, series of events also show that Tinubu does not have any good sense of equity, justice, fairness, and patriotism—virtues he claims to promote. The truth is that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is even more insensitive about the Nigerian state and her problems than President Muhammadu Buhari. Further, it is a common knowledge that the APC National Leader no longer possesses the physical fitness to explore the Nigerian presidency, but it has equally become very apparent that he no longer has the mental capacity.
“Very essentially, if the truth is told, no conscious and well-meaning Nigerian would wish an extension of the current national government under APC which Tinubu roundly endorses.
“The party had far better and younger candidates to fly its presidential ticket but chose to settle for the highest bidder in the ageless Tinubu.
“Even as a candidate, Tinubu’s do-or-die campaign strategy is an existential threat to the Nigerian state. The APC National Leader has made it abundantly clear that he does not mind if the country burns to ashes, insofar he becomes president.
“Rescuing Nigeria is paramount. Thus, we can no longer hide behind the bogus toga of political parties, tribes, and religions, while a visionless clique continues to dictate our future.
“I have a conscience. I have chosen my country over my party. I have become OBI-dient for the greater good of Nigeria!! I call on other true progressives to do so!!!”
