A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Cletus Obun, has ignited controversy by openly acknowledging that undermining the opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a deliberate tactic in his party’s political playbook.
Obun, a former chair of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Cross River State, made this admission during an appearance on Politics Today, a political program broadcast by Channels Television. His remarks have sparked discussions around the ethical boundaries of political rivalry in Nigeria.
During the interview, Obun addressed recent accusations from PDP stalwart Segun Sowunmi, who attributed his party’s internal strife to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Nyesom Wike, a former PDP governor, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Sowunmi argued that this appointment sowed discord within the PDP, fueling the party’s ongoing crisis. Obun, however, dismissed the criticism, contending that infiltrating and destabilizing rival parties is a common and accepted political maneuver.
“If the PDP is willing to publicly admit to such vulnerability, it’s perhaps one of the most startling political confessions we’ve heard,” Obun stated. “The notion that we can infiltrate and unsettle the PDP is part of our responsibility. Likewise, it is their role to keep the APC in check.”
Obun went further, justifying this tactic as an acceptable aspect of political strategy, provided it doesn’t escalate to violence. “As long as our actions remain non-violent, such strategies are fair political tools to employ,” he added.
Sowunmi, however, criticized Tinubu’s decision to bring Wike into the federal cabinet, arguing that this move disrupted the unity within the PDP and created divisions that have weakened the party from within. He expressed concern over the implications of appointing a high-profile PDP figure to a prominent federal position, suggesting it symbolized an attempt to destabilize the opposition through co-optation.
Obun’s candid remarks have since stirred widespread debate, with many questioning the ethical boundaries of political strategy in Nigeria. While some argue that political parties have a right to employ competitive tactics, others believe that deliberately destabilizing opposition parties undermines the democratic process. The discussion raises larger questions about the role of ethics and integrity in Nigerian politics, as party leaders and citizens alike weigh the impact of such tactics on the country’s democratic stability.
Obun’s statement serves as a reminder of the highly competitive and often contentious nature of Nigerian politics, where parties are willing to go to great lengths to maintain influence. The ethical implications of these tactics remain a topic of public interest, particularly as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its democratic institutions.
