The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come out in defense of Chief Tinubu, the National Leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, asserting that the first seven months of his administration were marred by distractions caused by election petitions, hindering his focus on governance.
According to Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, there is a pressing need for a constitutional amendment to delay the swearing-in of a newly-elected President until all election petitions have been resolved by the court. He argued that this delay in resolving election disputes had significant repercussions on governance and contributed to the economic crisis currently facing the nation.
Ologunagba highlighted the impact of the legal battles on the functioning of the government, stating, “During the first seven months of this administration, we were in court, so the government did not function; it was preoccupied with protecting itself.”
The PDP spokesperson emphasized the detrimental effect of the prolonged litigation on the nation, noting, “Consequently, in a four-year tenure, we lost nine months to litigation.”
Addressing the broader issues facing the country, Ologunagba called for restructuring, citing the need for true federalism to address disparities among states and promote efficiency in governance. He emphasized that restructuring should not be mere rhetoric but a serious agenda to tackle the nation’s challenges.
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Ologunagba stated, “Now is the opportune moment to restructure the country. Restructuring has always been the stance of the PDP.” He underscored the party’s historical advocacy for restructuring and called for concrete steps to implement it.
He also highlighted the importance of restructuring in fostering inclusivity and addressing the diverse linguistic, religious, and ethnic makeup of the country. Ologunagba argued that restructuring would promote a sense of ownership and belonging among all sectors of society.
In conclusion, Ologunagba reiterated the PDP’s commitment to advocating for electoral reforms and restructuring, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to address the nation’s challenges.