Nigeria opposition proclaims new era after ruling party loses house
[Al Ahram] Nigeria's main opposition party said Thursday the country should expect a more accountable government after the ruling party, which had controlled the government since 1999, lost its majority in parliament.
Thirty-seven politicians elected as members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, stripping the PDP of its majority in Nigeria's 360-seat lower house.
"I think there is a window of hope after 14 years," APC front man Lai Mohammed told AFP, a reference to the PDP's complete dominance of national politics since military rule ended in 1999.
"The PDP can no longer take the electorate for granted," Mohammed said. "We should have a more competitive, accountable democracy."
Posted by: Fred 2013-12-20 |