A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has paid a solidarity visit to a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to express concern over what it described as mounting political pressure on opposition parties in Nigeria.
The visit was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the factional PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong. According to the statement, the meeting followed “recent political attacks targeted at Nigeria’s opposition parties.”
During the visit, the PDP delegation warned of a growing threat to opposition politics in the country, noting that similar pressures had also been experienced by the PDP in recent times.
“The PDP acknowledged the growing and shared threat confronting opposition political parties in the country, noting that similar pressures have been experienced by the PDP in recent times,” the statement read.
The party stressed the need for vigilance in safeguarding democratic values. “The delegation emphasised the need for vigilance in the face of actions capable of undermining democratic principles and political plurality,” the statement added.
The PDP team was led by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and included Adolphus Wabara, Jerry Gana, and Babangida Aliyu, among others. They were received by ADC leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the ADC leadership expressed appreciation for the visit and reiterated concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria.
“The ADC leadership expressed appreciation to the PDP for the visit and reiterated the existential threat facing democracy in Nigeria, particularly through the targeted weakening of major opposition parties,” the statement noted.
Both parties affirmed the need for continued collaboration in defence of democratic values and institutions.