Prominent lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has said the ruling All Progressives Congress does not deserve a second term, warning that returning the party to power in the 2019 general elections will set the country a hundred years backward.
Ozekhome said this against the backdrop of insinuations that the new Coalition for Nigeria Movement, launched by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, would transform into a political party, which would not be different from the APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Speaking to our correspondent, the human rights activist noted that since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration in 2015, the country had retrogressed by 50 years.
He urged Nigerians to vote any party other than the APC, adding that the ruling party lacked any meaningful agenda, focus and economic blueprint.
Ozekhome said, “I think that the present government of APC has performed woefully. I believe the party does not deserve a second term because they will take us backward by 100 years. They have already taken us back by 50 years. So, to me, any political party other than the APC is better for Nigeria, because the APC has no agenda, it has no focus, it does not have any economic and political blueprint, even within the party itself, it has lost credibility; it is confused.
“It is a flock of different parties and ideologies; that is why you see EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) fighting DSS (Department of State Services); you see Comptroller General fighting senators; you see police fighting Customs; they are in a state where there is no central control. So, to me, any political party other than APC, Nigerians should go for it.”
Speaking on the former president’s CNM, Ozekhome said, “Obasanjo believes that APC is the reverse side of the PDP coin; that they are the same thing. He, therefore, said that Nigerians needed something better, a more grassroots-oriented political party. And, remember that it is a movement, not a political party and that if it becomes a political party, he will excuse himself.
“But whether the Coalition of Nigeria Movement is a party or not, it is for Nigerians to decide which party they will vote for. I, for example, don’t belong to any political party, but I noticed that my name is in that Coalition for Nigerian movement.
“I associate with it so far because it is not a political party. But once it becomes a political party, I will also excuse myself and the reason is that I don’t want to be in any political party.”
