APC Chairman Claims Opposition's Turmoil is a Result of Its Own Actions, Tells ADC

The All Progressives Congress has come out in strong defense of President Bola Tinubu's administration, asserting that democracy is thriving in Nigeria and that the ruling party remains committed to effective governance.

n

During a live media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru, rejected claims that the APC is responsible for the internal crises plaguing opposition parties, such as the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

n

The opposition parties have been embroiled in internal power struggles, resulting in multiple legal battles and significant uncertainty as the 2027 elections approach, with the APC leaders arguing that these challenges are a result of the opposition's own internal issues.

n

Following the Independent National Electoral Commission's decision to derecognise ADC National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, on April 1, Mark called for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, on April 2, alleging that the Tinubu administration and the APC-led Federal Government were behind the opposition's challenges.

n

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, also alleged at the ADC national convention that the Tinubu-led Federal Government is trying to weaken opposition parties and undermine democracy in Nigeria.

n

They further described Tinubu's administration as a failure, citing a struggling economy and rising insecurity, but Dr Basiru countered that democracy is about diversity of ideas and freedom of expression, and that the APC is committed to upholding these principles.

n

Basiru argued that with 19 registered political parties in Nigeria, the fact that only a few are experiencing problems suggests that the issue lies with those parties, not the APC, and that the APC has no role in the internal crises of other parties.

n

The APC National Secretary questioned whether Tinubu is instructing opposition parties to violate court directives, and pointed out that the Supreme Court has ruled on the issue of status quo ante bellum, which opposition parties are ignoring.

n

Basiru cautioned opposition leaders against discrediting the judiciary and democratic institutions, citing the example of the PDP's refusal to listen to the courts and reconcile their differences.

n

The APC National Secretary stated that the party's focus is on creating a pan-Nigerian political party that resonates with the grassroots and articulates policies in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

n

Basiru drew a lesson from the APC's experience in Zamfara, where the party paid dearly for not following due process, and argued that the same elements that caused those crises are now in the ADC.

n

On the issue of insecurity, Basiru highlighted Tinubu's achievements, including the prosecution of 350 suspects linked to insecurity, and called for cooperation among Nigerians and other stakeholders to address the complex challenge.

n

Basiru emphasized that insecurity should not be politicized, and that communities must cooperate to address the issue, which affects everyone, and that non-kinetic approaches, such as community engagement and development, are helping to address the problem.

n

The APC National Secretary argued that the current structure of the Nigeria Police Force is insufficient, with only about 6,550 police formations nationwide, and that decentralization and reforms, including zonal autonomy and improved operational capacity, are necessary.

n

Prof Yilwatda stated that if the ADC and other opposition parties lack internal democracy, the APC should not be blamed, and that the APC has a process for managing internal democracy, which the opposition parties should emulate.

n

Yilwatda argued that the painful economic reforms introduced by Tinubu are beginning to produce positive outcomes, including macroeconomic improvements, increased revenue, and economic growth, with a tax surplus of over N6tn and GDP growth of over 4% last year.

n

The APC national chairman said that the next step is to work on the microeconomic aspect, so that the impact of the reforms can be felt by Nigerians, and that efforts are underway to strengthen the microeconomy through investments in human capital development.

n

Yilwatda acknowledged that the reforms have caused pains, but argued that they are necessary for the country's development, and that the Federal Government is working to ease the pains through intervention programmes, such as student loans and support for vulnerable households.