Democracy at risk without strong opposition, Uzodinma warns after APC primary

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has cautioned that Nigeria's democracy faces peril if opposition parties do not establish robust structures to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) effectively before the 2027 general election. Uzodinma voiced this concern on Saturday during the APC presidential primary, where President Bola Tinubu was presented for a second-term ticket with minimal opposition.

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It is no longer democracy if there is no opposition. I encourage opposition parties to work hard, do what the ruling party has done, and when, by the grace of God, it becomes their turn, they will elect their own president.

"It is no longer democracy if there is no opposition," Uzodinma stated, encouraging opposition parties to emulate the ruling party's efforts. He added, "I encourage opposition parties to work hard, do what the ruling party has done, and when, by the grace of God, it becomes their turn, they will elect their own president."

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If you look at what is happening at the grassroots, how the grassroots has been stimulated, starting from the membership registration, which was done electronically, to the validation of members, you can see 35,000 human beings in just one ward in all its local governments.

Earlier, Uzodinma declared that the APC's extensive grassroots presence had already secured the 2027 presidential contest. He pointed to the party's electronic membership registration drive, which he claimed fostered "grassroots inclusiveness" and resulted in significant participation, citing "35,000 human beings in just one ward in all its local governments." He asserted, "It means that if all our party members vote for President Bola Tinubu, he has already won the election."

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It means that if all our party members vote for President Bola Tinubu, he has already won the election.

Governor Uzodinma also praised President Tinubu, stating that the president deserved a second term and had demonstrated exemplary political conduct. "President Bola Tinubu has done enough to deserve going back for a second time. I want to congratulate him for taking the time to do politics the way it should be done," he remarked.

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President Bola Tinubu has done enough to deserve going back for a second time. I want to congratulate him for taking the time to do politics the way it should be done.