Kano — Professor Ra'uf Ayo Dunmoye, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria said the emergence of APC is good for Nigeria's democracy, but warned that the party must ensure internal democracy or else it will fail.
"It is good that we have an alternative party now that would challenge the PDP. It would give PDP a good run for its money in terms of coverage of Nigeria and leadership potentials, because the new party has qualified men and women.
"By that we would now have a qualitative political arena rather than the present arrangement where PDP has dominated everything.
"My own fear is that if the APC is not committed to internal democracy, the party would also suffer the same fate that the PDP is suffering now. They have to ensure effective internal democracy and imposition of candidates should be discouraged. A situation of godfather should be discouraged in the party because it has the tendency to subvert internal democracy.
"Internal democracy was the problem with CPC and ACN. If the new leadership of APC that comprises General Muhammad Buhari, Alhaji Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu, Senator Bunu Sherif, Malam Shekarau, Rochas Okorocha, Ngige, and the like, come together and democratise their party; they would give PDP a good challenge.
"But if they fail to ensure internal democracy, they would crumble. The new party should guide against subversion from without, that is they should guide against external forces.
"They should also avoid saying that there are anointed candidates. They should allow the democratic system to take its course. Nigerians have been waiting fervently for their registration; they see them as an alternative to the PDP.
"I am not saying they would supplant PDP, and I am not saying that they would not but whatever it is the democratic space in Nigeria now would be more vibrant and Nigerians have alternative to the PDP," Professor Dunmoye said.
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