A senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has expressed disappointment over the outcome of the party’s recent national convention, despite its public display of unity and celebration.
Speaking on the Morning Crossfire on Nigeria Info 99.3FM with Kofi Bartels, Obono-Obla described the event as “a mixed bag,” saying that “beneath the glamour, the pomp and ceremony, a lot of people were not happy.”
He criticised what he called “garrison democracy” within the party, adding that after 25 years of democratic rule in Nigeria, political parties should move away from such practices.
“I don’t think after 25 years of democracy, we should still be practising garrison democracy,” he said.
Obono-Obla noted that he was among those who helped form the APC and worked on its constitution in 2013.
He explained that the party was created to be “a broad-based political party” that would avoid the mistakes that weakened previous parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, he said the current leadership has not lived up to that vision.
“I’m not impressed with the management, the administration of APC,” he said.
The party chieftain also raised concerns about party officials staying too long in office.
He pointed out that some members of the National Executive Committee have remained in their positions since 2022.
“I thought that we were going to see a new lease of life, a new leadership emerging,” he added.
His comments highlight ongoing concerns about internal democracy and leadership practices within Nigeria’s ruling party, even as it prepares for future elections.
