Defections to APC in line with democratic principles – Morka

By Isa Isawade

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka, has said that the continuous defections of politicians from opposition parties into the APC are in lines with democratic principles.

Morka stated this in an interview on Arise News Saturday night.

According to him, the event is a legitimate expression of constitutional rights of the individuals cross-carpeting and not a sign of democratic decline or danger.

He emphasised that the decisions of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the APC are in line with democracy.

He said people should bury the thought that such an event would make the country slide into a one-party system, describing the notion as misleading and unfair.

“People are simply exercising their democratic freedom to choose among competing party alternatives, and they are choosing our party.

“It would be disingenuous to describe the development as a threat to democracy.

“Would you have the APC become a gatekeeper and decide who can or cannot come in? Democracy is a system of freedom, and it is not fair or permissible for anyone to limit the right of people to choose for themselves.

“The fact that people join the APC does not mean we have a one-party system,” Morka added.

He responded to the allegation that the ruling party is using federal power to coarse governors and lawmakers into joining its fold by saying: “In a country as massive as Nigeria, how do you cajole governors who are chief executive officers of their states?

“These are people elected by their constituents to govern. They control their own budgets and have the power to appropriate funds. What exactly would you tell a governor to cajole him?

“If the PDP, Labour, or ADC look inward, they will find that it is their dysfunction and failure of leadership driving people away.

“Nobody wants to remain on a sinking ship. No serious politician would stay in a party that offers no hope of redemption.”