The Presidential Villa, the official residence and workplace of the President of Nigeria, is a symbol of national unity and the seat of power.
It is a place where important national decisions are made, and where the President receives visiting dignitaries.
However, recent events have raised concerns about the misuse of the Presidential Villa for partisan purposes. Specifically, the hosting of the APC National Caucus meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa should be widely criticized as an abuse of power.
The use of the Presidential Villa for partisan activities is a clear violation of the principles of democracy and fairness. The villa belongs to all Nigerians, regardless of their party affiliation.
By hosting APC functions at the villa, the ruling party is essentially using state resources for their own political gain, while excluding other registered political parties from accessing the same facilities. This creates an uneven playing field and undermines the democratic process.
Over and above that, the hosting of APC functions at the Presidential Villa sets a dangerous precedent. It suggests that the ruling party is above the law and can use state institutions for their own partisan purposes.
This erosion of the separation of powers and the politicization of state institutions can have far-reaching consequences for the stability of the country.
The use of the Presidential Villa for partisan activities is a slap in the face of Nigerians who are struggling to make ends meet. At a time when the country is facing numerous challenges, including poverty, insecurity, and corruption, it is unacceptable that the ruling party is more concerned with consolidating its power than with addressing the pressing needs of the people.
The hosting of APC functions at the Presidential Villa is a clear abuse of power and a violation of the principles of democracy and fairness.
It is essential that the ruling party respects the neutrality of the Presidential Villa and ensures that it is made available to all registered political parties.
Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the Nigerian people.
Peter Ameh writes from Abuja
