APC Chieftain Osita Okechukwu Accuses PDP of Leaving a Damaging Legacy
Osita Okechukwu, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of leaving behind a legacy of corruption, mismanagement, and impunity that continues to hinder Nigeria’s progress.
In a statement responding to the PDP’s recent claims about the impending downfall of the APC, Okechukwu urged the opposition party to take responsibility for the nation’s current challenges. He described the PDP’s 16 years in power as the “locust years,” marking a period of significant damage to the country’s political, economic, and social fabric.
Okechukwu outlined several issues he believes stemmed from the PDP’s governance, including widespread corruption, election rigging, and the mismanagement of national resources. He highlighted the privatization of the electricity sector as a key example, alleging that corruption during this process hampered Nigeria’s industrialization.
“The country is still recovering from the huge culture of impunity and the trust deficit planted by the PDP,” Okechukwu said. “Corruption marred the privatization of our electricity value chain, which should have been central to industrial growth.”
He also cited the controversial 2007 general elections, which he said were rigged, with former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua publicly acknowledging the irregularities of his victory. “The blatant rigging of the 2007 elections is one of the many ills of that era,” Okechukwu added.
Other issues he pointed to included the sale of legislative and ministerial quarters, which he argued continues to drain Nigeria’s treasury, and the neglect of the $23 billion Greenfield Refinery project, which could have saved the country billions spent on importing refined petroleum products.
Despite these criticisms, Okechukwu also commended the administrations of Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu for their restraint in not probing the alleged financial mismanagement during the PDP years. He suggested that PDP leaders should count themselves fortunate for not facing investigations over their tenure’s failures, which he argued contributed to Nigeria’s current trust deficits and economic challenges.
In conclusion, Okechukwu rejected the PDP’s assertion that Nigeria was ready to return the party to power. He reiterated the APC’s commitment to rebuilding the nation, despite the significant challenges inherited from previous administrations. He urged Nigerians to remain focused on accountability and progress, cautioning against overlooking the lasting damage caused by the PDP’s 16 years in power.
