Nigeria's political landscape is currently a battleground of accusations and counter-accusations, with the Labour Party (LP) alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is systematically dismantling the nation's democratic foundations. Senator Nenadi Usman, the acting National Chairman of the LP, speaking at the African Democratic Congress Global Award and Dinner Night in Abuja, accused the APC of weaponizing state institutions to stifle opposition voices and consolidate power.
Her remarks, delivered by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Eluma Asogwa, painted a picture of a ruling party adept at not just securing, but also maintaining power through tactics ranging from infiltration and co-optation to judicial manipulation and intimidation. Usman contended that such actions represent "domination masked as governance," fundamentally undermining the tenets of a true democracy where dissent and alternative viewpoints are crucial. She warned that without a robust opposition, Nigeria's democracy is merely a "shadow."
In response, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the APC, vehemently dismissed Usman's claims, characterizing the opposition's perceived unity as an "association of internally displaced politicians." He scoffed at the idea of a cohesive opposition coalition, labeling it a "figment of the imagination" of a few individuals.
While primarily critical of the APC's alleged tactics, Usman also turned the spotlight inward, acknowledging the internal strife plaguing opposition parties. She conceded that "external interference from the APC" was not the sole factor in their weakening, admitting that the opposition has "too often been complicit in its weakening" through "internal decay." She implored opposition leaders to transcend personal ambitions, greed, and internal divisions to forge a united front capable of offering Nigerians credible and visionary alternatives.
Usman stressed the critical need for action and concrete solutions beyond mere complaints, advocating for a balanced political system where no single party dominates unchecked. She concluded with a stark warning that unchecked power, even for the APC, ultimately risks the legitimacy of the entire democratic system when the populace is left with no genuine alternatives.
