Musa Affos (Rhapsodi)


The Taraba State Governor, Arch Darius Ishaku has revealed that democracy without opposition is not a democracy as the opposition was vital in a viable democracy and to keep the ruling party on its feet to give in the best.


Reacting to the defection of his Cross River State counterpart, Ben Ayade, from PDP to APC, the ruling party, Ishaku spoke to newsmen, after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors were shocked and embarrassed when they heard the decision of their Cross River State counterpart, Ben Ayade, to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 


According to the governor, Nigerians should hope for the opposition, a vibrant opposition that will help to put and maintain the system in going. He wondered the reason behind the decision of his Cross River State counterpart because all his colleagues in the PDP were doing well in their various states. Stressing out that opposition was vital in a viable democracy. Ishaku also dismissed the speculation that other PDP governors would soon dump the PDP for the APC.


“I don’t see that happening and like I said even his own was a shock to some of us. And for Nigeria, we should hope for an opposition. Democracy without opposition is not a democracy.”


When asked why Ayade dumped the PDP, the governor said:


 “I wouldn’t know precisely the governor’s thinking, because all of us are different. But we are greatly shocked and embarrassed that he will suddenly dump the party for APC because all of us see PDP as an alternative to APC.
“But be that as it may, I believe that any democratic country must have a viable opposition, and opposition in itself is good for democracy. If you don’t have an opposition, then the government in power can go astray and so I believe in the vibrant democracy with an opposition.”


“But as to the reason why our colleague in PDP will depart, I don’t know the details, and I can’t vouch for him. He has the tough one. So, but I want to assure you that all the governors in PDP are doing very well, very well in their respective states.

“Possibly because we’re in a position and the pressure is on us and we are doing the best we can. I will invite you to my state in Taraba, to come and see the beautiful works I’m doing there in all ramifications. From education, agriculture, name it, we are doing a great job, infrastructure, etc.”


When asked about the failed efforts of the party’s reconciliation committee to convince Ayade to remain in the PDP, he said “Let me tell you, they have done a good job. A very good one. But it depends on the decision of an individual and what he actually hopes to gain. You may get the best of intentions somebody may not agree with you.

“And so that is the point that I think is more of the governor’s decision as it affects him, and that nobody can hold brief for that.”