The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, at the weekend stressed the need for increased scrutiny of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at both state and federal levels in the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

According to the opposition party, APC must be put on its toes amid what it described as widespread dissatisfaction among the people with the security and economic situation in the country, stating that most families are finding it difficult to feed due to the astronomical prices of essential commodities.

The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Leye Igbabo, who stated this at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Akure, the state capital, expressed dismay over the performance of the APC-led government under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

While frowning at the recent gale of defections among politicians to the ruling party, Igbabo emphasised that the trend was motivated by opportunism rather than principle.

He said, “I am disappointed in the administration of the ruling party. Inflation is at an all-time high. Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, and people can no longer afford to feed their families.”

The PDP spokesperson also condemned the rising insecurity plaguing the state, calling on the government to be proactive and responsive to its primary duty of protecting lives and property.

Igbabo, who lauded journalists for their resilience and standing by the truth, stressed that the media remains the only institution that has not been compromised, with an appeal to always expose corruption and maladministration.

“As the fourth estate of the realm, you are now the last hope of the common man. The other three arms of government have failed. Continue to perform your constitutional roles as provided in the Constitution to help deepen our democracy,” Igbabo said.

The NUJ Chairman, in response, advocated for the enactment of a law criminalising defection or cross-carpeting by politicians, arguing that the absence of such a law will hinder development rather than allow politicians to seek comfort in all parties in power, thereby encouraging politics of favouritism.

He said, “Politicians switch parties at will because there is no law to checkmate such actions. They have impoverished the people, which is why you see voters selling their votes to the highest bidder during elections.”