John Alechenu examines the renewed battle between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for the hearts of Nigerians amidst the COVID-19 pandemic Although th
e 2019 general elections have come and gone, the political battle for the hearts of Nigerians by the two leading political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, has shown no sign of easing.
An active member of the APC media team at the time, Mr Timi Frank, also recalled, “At the time we left the PDP for the APC, we were convinced that the PDP had derailed from the ideals of its founding fathers. It was our hope then that the APC offered a credible alternative and we gave our all, with the hope that the nation would be better for it. Now we know better.”
Supporters of each of the parties use every opportunity to inform the public about what they are doing or can do if given the opportunity to lead at all levels, especially in times of crisis. For instance, apart from returning the 1,800 bags of rice sent to the state as palliatives from the Federal Government, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, directed senior civil servants in the state to return to work.
That call was, however, dismissed as irresponsible and sinister by the APC through its spokesperson, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu. He wondered why the PDP was asking the President to visit the state known for his large crowds amidst a pandemic. How all these will play out on the electoral fortunes of the two leading political parties in the coming months has become a talking point among political pundits.
“Nigerian politics has not matured ideologically for people to take electoral decisions based on the handling of a pandemic by the government in power. At the end of the day, looking at the mindset of Nigerians, the issue may be used as a campaign issue but it may end there. If you are to base electoral choice on actions, nobody can take it from the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the fantastic work he is doing.
A member of the House of Representatives during the Second Republic, Dr Junaid Mohammed, on his part, expressed sadness that both the PDP and the APC had shown “gross incompetence” in handling issues of governance since the return of democracy in 1999.
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