…Urges Nigerians to remain vigilant to protect democracy
By John Alechenu
ABUJA — Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has described the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as a dress rehearsal for the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians and opposition parties to remain vigilant in defending the country’s democracy.
Speaking in an interview with Vanguard on Thursday in Abuja, Okorie said opposition parties must be alert to what he described as attempts to use federal institutions to influence the electoral process.
He cited the controversy surrounding the freezing and subsequent unfreezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as a “test of the waters.”
According to him, developments surrounding the Osun election should serve as a warning to opposition parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
Okorie also commented on the recent visit of members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to President Bola Tinubu, saying the President’s response to the bishops’ observations on the state of the nation had generated public concern.
“I was shocked to hear Mr. President praise INEC for the 2027 election that is yet to be held. When you are going into a football match and your opponent is already praising the referee before the game begins, you have every cause to be worried,” he said.
He added: “For Mr. President to say there has been hunger in Nigeria long before he assumed office, and that his approach to the 2027 election is the maxim that ‘all is fair in politics as it is in war,’ is telling.”
Okorie also criticised comments made by a presidential aide following the bishops’ meeting.
“When a presidential aide came out to say Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke only for Catholics, is the hunger and insecurity across Nigeria restricted to Catholics alone?” he asked.
The APGA chieftain urged opposition parties to intensify voter education and mobilisation ahead of future elections.
“Those in opposition must watch what is happening to the government accounts of Osun State and consider it a wake-up call.
“The message is for those in opposition to step up mobilisation and voter education. People must not only vote but also take lawful measures to protect their votes,” he said.
Okorie stressed that Nigerians have a responsibility to strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.
He said the present generation owes future generations a duty to build a nation where citizens’ rights, security and welfare are protected and where the rule of law is respected.
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