Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has rejected suggestions that the recent exodus of Peoples Democratic Party governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress signals the end of Nigeria’s democratic contest.
Murray-Bruce argued that political parties may fall, but new challengers will always arise to contest power.
He spoke on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Thursday, a day after announcing his defection to the APC.https://punchng.com/ben-murray-bruce-defects-to-apc-hails-tinubus-economic-prowess/
“Things get destroyed for others to show up. There will be other parties. It may not be called PDP, but there will be opposition. So, if PDP dies, it dies. Somebody is going to show up. Somebody will show up, for sure,” he said.
The ex-lawmaker believes that Nigeria’s political space guarantees that alternative forces will continue to emerge to challenge the ruling party.
“There will be opposition, there will be election. There are people who will challenge the president, and it’s going to be a tough election. It’s going to be very tough,” he added.
His comments followed high-profile defections of PDP members this week, including Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, and a few lawmakers, fueling debate over the future of the opposition.
The Silver Group founder dismissed fears that the defections of high-profile figures from the PDP to the APC could result in a one-party state.
He argued that while the PDP may be “half dead,” it does not mean Nigeria’s democratic process has collapsed.
“Don’t think because PDP is half dead means the democratic process is dead. It feels that way, people think that way, but somebody will emerge, a leader will show up, and there will be tough opposition.”
Stating political figures who could remain relevant as the opposition force in Nigeria, Murray-Bruce said, “Peter Obi is not dead. Kwankwaso is not dead. Atiku is not dead, so there will be opposition.”
