Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Ahead of the 2019 presidential election, the African Democratic Party (ADC), has raised alarm over the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power.
The South- South Zonal leaders of ADC, who met in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Friday, declared that the party (ADC) was the life support of democracy and pillar of political parties in Nigeria.
The ADC leaders alleged that the APC’s desperation has been shown by its efforts to stop former President Olusegun Obasanjo from adopting the party to upstage President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 Presidential election.
National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, speaking at the meeting with party members, alleged that the desperation of the APC leadership at stopping the ADC was shown in the alleged offer of oil blocs and huge amount of money to lure the elected member in Bayelsa State, Gabriel Ogbara, into the ruling party.
“The past few days have been challenging since the party was adopted for the rescue of the Nigeria project. The ruling party, APC, has become more desperate.
“When ADC was adopted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, they have been seeking ways to collect our only elected candidate in Bayelsa.
“They have tried to use oil wells and blocs to lure him to APC, but he declined. All these were to give an excuse that ADC don’t have an elected officer and should be scrapped. They want us to deny Obasanjo.
“They don’t dare come to me with 10 million dollars because they know my integrity stands.”
The ADC national Chairman also noted with concern the alleged ridiculing of Nigeria among comity of states over poor and dependent trade agreement signed by the present APC agreement with China and other countries.
He said the ADC is going to be the next vehicle to rescue Nigeria and commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Cross Rivers Governor, Donald Duke, for the courage, commitment, passion displayed in adopting the party for the Rescue Nigeria Project.
National Vice Chairman, South -South, Sir Ayeigbeni Omohinmin, in his remarks, noted that despite the pressure and deceit of the ruling party, the ADC in the region has decided to work hard during the coming election to deliver the South -South region for the party and deliver Nigeria from the shackles of poor development.