APC Destroying Democracy By Crushing Opposition, Warns ADC Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi –
National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has warned that the ruling APC’s policies are undermining democracy in Nigeria, destabilising opposition parties, and creating conditions that could weaken political competition.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Abdullahi offered an in-depth assessment of the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reflected on the implications for the country’s democratic future.
Describing the PDP’s turmoil, Abdullahi said: “What happened yesterday…appears to be a terminal stage in a drama that has played out in the last couple of months. It was clear from the time this government came about in 2013 that there appeared to be a design to bring the PDP to its knees.”
He added: “You could see the insidious hands of government agents stalking it, as if government had a deliberate plan to ensure that the party does not survive.”
Abdullahi explained that ADC is “on the defensive,” a consequence of political destabilisation orchestrated by the ruling party. “ADC itself is a product of the destabilisation of all the opposition political parties…we are not doing this just to take power in 2027. This is an opportunity to reset Politics in Nigeria, because Politics and democracy are becoming meaningless to Nigerians.”
Highlighting the importance of democratic institutions, Abdullahi criticised recent actions by the judiciary, saying: “One of the arbiters, one of the critical components of the electoral process…they should be unbiased. But when the umpire is wearing the shirt of one of the players and singing ‘On Your Mandate,’ that is an absolute shame. A shame on the judiciary of this country, without equivocation whatsoever.”
He also noted public perception of corruption within the judiciary: “I read an ICPC report about two years ago that said public perception says the judiciary is the most corrupt institution in Nigeria. That is public perception.”
Abdullahi condemned the APC’s disregard for political pluralism, warning: “The APC government has to realise that you can only have a democracy if you have political parties. If they create conditions that make it impossible for any other party to survive apart from theirs, then we cannot claim to have a democracy. That is not good for Nigeria.”
On ADC’s strategy and resilience, he said: “Within four months of coming on board, we have offices in 27 of 36 states, without a single elected official. Those offices were put in place by members committed to building a real political party. APC can have the governors; we have the people with us.”
Discussing the political landscape, Abdullahi warned against blind pursuit of power: “We want to win, but we don’t want to win at all costs. If what we just want to do is continue what this government is doing, then there’s no point to it. Politics has to have meaning. Our collective mission is redemption, to restore faith in democracy.”
On ideological priorities, he stressed: “For us in the ADC, the most important conversation we’ve been having is how to make government work for the people. The current structure is no longer serving the purpose it should serve. We are leaving all options on the table. Before the election, we will project our position. If anybody says they will solve the problem of insurgency without addressing the fundamental structure that supports it, then it’s just political talk.”
Abdullahi elaborated on the ADC’s understanding of youth engagement: “We are trying to convince young people, telling them that the task of nation-building is never done. Forty percent of our positions in the National Working Committee are reserved for young people. We are creating a successor generation of young people who can carry on from wherever we start. But it’s a challenge. Our task is a lot more difficult because people have become a lot more cynical.”
On opposition Politics, he argued: “We are watching closely what is happening in the PDP. Eventually, there will be a two-horse race between the PDP, the APC, and the ADC. PDP splits right down the middle. Some will go into the ruling APC; some will join ADC. But they must understand it’s not going to be business as usual.”
Abdullahi stressed the party’s commitment to integrity: “We want to win, but we want to do it meaningfully. We are not here just to take power; we are here to reset Politics, and Politics must serve a purpose,”he concluded.
Boluwatife Enome
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