The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that Nigeria’s democracy is in danger, describing the assertion as exaggerated and self-serving.
Atiku, speaking through his media aide, had accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of deliberately weakening opposition parties and narrowing democratic space, a situation he warned could slide the country toward a one-party system. He also pointed to economic hardship and policy choices he believes undermine democratic values.
Reacting on Thursday, Lagos State APC spokesman Seye Oladejo dismissed the allegations, saying both Atiku and his political allies were projecting fear rather than facts. According to him, Nigeria’s democratic institutions remain fully operational under the current administration.
Oladejo argued that since May 29, 2023, the pillars of democracy have continued to function as expected, with elections conducted, courts resolving disputes, lawmakers exercising oversight, and citizens freely expressing their views. He added that opposition voices have protested, spoken, and pursued legal action without restriction, which he said contradicts claims of democratic erosion.
He further took aim at Atiku’s political platform, describing it as unstable and driven more by personal ambition than shared ideology. Oladejo suggested that internal contradictions within the opposition are responsible for its growing unease, not actions of the ruling party.
According to him, electoral victory and defeat are normal features of democracy, and the system does not collapse simply because individual ambitions are thwarted. He maintained that ongoing reforms under President Tinubu, though challenging, are anchored in constitutional processes and democratic accountability.
The APC spokesman concluded by urging Atiku and his associates to accept political reality, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy remains resilient and intact, while opposition figures struggle with diminishing influence.