Former All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has stated that political parties naturally seek to weaken their opposition as part of democratic competition.
Cole made the remark on Monday while speaking as a guest on “Prime Time,” a programme on Arise Television, where he reacted to the activities of the ruling APC in relation to the African Democratic Congress.
He noted that such political dynamics are not unique, but rather a common feature of democracies around the world.
He said, “Every party, regardless of being APC or not, will always push to weaken the opposition. It is the opposition’s response to that push that makes democracy work. This happens all over the world.
“First and foremost, it’s one of the things that I personally have looked forward to, that democracy always requires an opposition, and if that opposition is strong, then it brings legitimacy to the entire process.
And so one of the things that you are seeing now is an opposition that is now determined that, let’s come together. Is that good for democracy? Absolutely. Would the APC oppose such a coming together? Definitely.
“I’m one of those creatures that believe that competition actually makes you better. Competition makes you think smarter. It makes you look forward at your own weaknesses and your strength.”
