A Texas-based family medicine physician, Dr Austin Orette, has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing undemocratic practices within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Orette, a founding member of the APC and former Delta South senatorial aspirant, told journalists on Tuesday that the party had sidelined its founding members in Delta State.
According to him, the APC’s decision to allow incumbents to retain positions without primary elections undermines internal democracy.
“The APC wants the incumbent to hold the position without primary elections. In this wise, I can say I did not leave the ruling party; it was APC that left me,” he said.
He added that the influx of defectors had made the political environment uncomfortable for original members in Delta State, while expressing goodwill towards President Bola Tinubu.
Orette described the 2027 general election as a “battle of ideas,” urging Nigerians to elect competent and intellectually sound representatives into the National Assembly.
“The Senate is the engine room of democracy and a place for robust debate of ideas. Unfortunately, individuals lacking intellectual depth are often given tickets,” he said.
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Highlighting his motivation for public service, Orette recounted how a shortage of medical personnel contributed to the death of a woman in his hometown. He pledged to improve leadership standards, promote civic awareness, and tackle unemployment through skills acquisition.
He outlined plans to attract foreign investment, retrain artisans with modern tools, and establish functional offices across Delta South communities, including the transformation of Ogbe-Ijoh Market.
Orette also promised to address key challenges in the region, including electricity, healthcare, and agriculture, with a focus on modern equipment and strengthened extension services.
On governance, he criticised aspects of the 1999 Constitution, particularly what he described as “no-go areas,” and called for reforms to decentralise power to subnational levels.
“Uniformity does not build a country,” he said, advocating a restructuring that reflects Nigeria’s diversity.
The medical expert further called for societal reorientation to sustain the aspirations of young people, emphasising community values and mutual respect.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, Orette attributed many of the nation’s challenges to prolonged military involvement in governance, which he said fostered impunity, centralised power, and weakened democratic institutions.
“The military destroyed our institutions. Today, political actors exhibit behaviours reminiscent of military rule. We must demilitarise the mindset of our leaders,” he said.
He also proposed the establishment of a reserve army and a six-month voluntary military training programme for youths, alongside reforms to make the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) optional and more flexible.
Orette warned of rising authoritarian tendencies, declining democratic values, executive overreach, citizen apathy, and legislative inefficiency, calling for urgent reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
