by Akintomiwa Agbaje

Chief Odigie Oyegun, the former governor of Edo, has hinged the increased democracy growth curve of Nigeria to the emergence of the All Progressives Party (APC).

He elaborated that the establishment of APC has presented the people with a genuine choice while speaking with journalists in Benin.

The Nation reports:

He however noted that in spite of the progress made, much still needed to be done for Nigerians to enjoy full benefit of democracy.

According to the former governor, “Though Nigerians can now choose between parties of equal strength, we still need free and fair elections so that the right to choice is not mortgage.

“This is still lacking judging from recent elections in Delta and Anambra states. Elections conducted in these states tell us in clear terms that we have a long way to go in terms of free and fair election.”

Oyegun said free and fair elections are basic and fundamental; otherwise, the politic can’t survive.

On the defection of some People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors to the APC, Oyegun said, “The PDP provided the platform for them to defect.”

He said if not for the fact that the aggrieved governors and some members of the ruling party had an alternative; they would have remained in the PDP.

“The fact that they have a strong vibrant and reliable alternative and the growing discontent; we would not have had the opportunity of welcoming this people to our fold,” he added.

On the two governors who backed out of the defection plan at the last minute, Oyegun attributed it to the peculiar political environment in which the governors operate.

According to him, “This is because people have their different level of courage, tolerance and consideration of timing of what they will do and what they will not do.

“What we have are those who are determined, courageous and bold that Nigeria truly needs a change.”