Ex VON DG Explains Why Calls for Opposition Merger Won’t Succeed

Osita Okechukwu, a foundation member of APC, provides insight into recent merger proposals.

Former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has offered his perspective on why recent calls for a merger of opposition political parties to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are unlikely to succeed.

Speaking in Enugu on Sunday, Okechukwu addressed the merger proposals advocated by Prof. Pat Utomi and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in light of the recent presidential election in Senegal.

Okechukwu, a key figure in the formation of the APC, expressed skepticism about the viability of the merger, citing what he considers a lack of contextual foundation and dynamism in the current political landscape.

The call for a merger comes amidst congratulatory messages to Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye, with comparisons drawn to the APC’s victory in 2015.

As a member of the merger committee that facilitated the formation of the APC, Okechukwu dismissed the recent merger calls, highlighting what he believes are erroneous premises underlying them.

He emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the 2015 defeat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) differ significantly from the current political climate.

Okechukwu stressed that efforts to unseat an incumbent president should be driven by a genuine desire to replace an underperforming administration, rather than mere political maneuvering.

Okechukwu also praised the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that there has been increased allocation to state governments under his leadership.