The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed claims that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, describing such assertions as “odious” and politically motivated, while insisting that the country’s democratic space remains vibrant and competitive.
Speaking in an interview withARISE News on Monday, Basiru said allegations that the ruling party is undermining multi-party democracy are being pushed by what he described as “internally displaced politicians”.
“I don’t think so. I think it’s just a very odious comment and opinion by those I call internally displaced politicians — IDPs,” he said.
Basiru argued that the current political landscape itself proves the existence of a functioning multi-party system.
“The truth is that today we have multi-party democracy, even when illustrated by the spread of political parties controlling states in Nigeria,” he said.
“Yes, my party, the APC, has 27 governors. The PDP has five governors, APGA has one, NNPP has one, and another party just produced a governor from Imo State.”
He questioned what further evidence critics require.
“What other illustration of multi-party democracy do you need?” he asked.
Basiru rejected the notion that democracy requires the ruling party to deliberately limit its growth.“Multi-party democracy does not mean that the ruling party should allow itself to be weakened, become indolent or complacent, and refuse to mobilise, organise and build itself into a veritable electoral machinery,” he said.
“If multi-party democracy means that the ruling party should allow itself to be overrun by the opposition, then perhaps they may be right.”
He insisted that democratic freedoms remain intact.“If multi-party democracy means freedom of association, freedom of information, freedom of organisation and freedom of expression, then Nigeria is a multi-party democracy and is working stronger,” he said.
Basiru pointed to Nigeria’s media and political diversity.
“Nigeria has perhaps the largest number of independent radio and television stations in Africa. That is freedom of speech,” he said.
“Nigeria also has about 19 registered political parties, with five more provisionally cleared to participate in the 2027 elections.”
Basiru firmly rejected claims that anti-corruption agencies are being used to coerce opposition politicians.
“I must immediately address the erroneous impression, which is rather ridiculous, that the presidency is weaponising the EFCC,” he said.
“There is no such thing.”
He cited examples of APC members facing prosecution.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is a prominent member of our party and he is currently standing trial before at least two courts in Nigeria. Is that victimisation?” he asked.
“I am also aware of people in our party who are being investigated and facing criminal prosecution.”
According to him, anti-graft agencies operate independently.
“As far as the federal government is concerned, the EFCC and the ICPC have their own independent roles and responsibilities,” Basiru said.
He questioned why politicians facing scrutiny complain.
“If you don’t have a skeleton in your cupboard, nobody should be afraid that anybody will go after you,” he said.
“Do you have immunity against criminal investigation or prosecution simply because you belong to the opposition?”
Basiru recalled that President Bola Tinubu himself faced prosecution while in opposition.
“All of us were in this country when our now president was prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” he said.
“That did not stop Bola Tinubu from organising and mobilising the opposition until they won power in 2015.”
Basiru rejected claims that governors are being forced to defect to the APC.
“People are harassing governors who have defected, as if they do not know that under Nigerian law, a sitting governor has immunity against criminal prosecution,” he said.
“So why would harassment or prosecution be the basis for any governor to defect?”
He cited public explanations given by defecting governors.
“On live television, Governor Douye Diri explained four reasons why he decided to align with the APC,” Basiru said.
“He talked about the coastal road, electrification projects, waivers on import duties, and the Nembe-Brass road project, all supported by President Bola Tinubu.”
According to him, governors act out of pragmatic governance considerations.
“When you have a president dealing with sub-national governments in a manner that allows them to thrive, any reasonable governor will want to partner with such a person,” he said.
Basiru dismissed reports that the APC is targeting bloc votes from specific regions.
“That is a fallacy. There is nothing like that,” he said.
“The APC has become a pan-Nigerian political party, and its strength is spread across the country.”
He described the party’s expansion strategy metaphorically.
“I said the APC has become like a Jehovah’s Witness,” he stated.
“We propagate our party and our programmes and gain acceptance from Nigerians from all walks of life and from all nooks and crannies.”
He also dismissed claims that the President lacks support in the North.
“Some of those criticising from the North cannot even win their polling units,” Basiru said.
“The true barometer for political acceptance is elections, not newspaper commentaries, television studios or social media.”
Defending the administration’s economic record, Basiru said reforms are beginning to yield results.
“The parameters of the economy are showing that the reform agenda of Mr President is coming to reality,” he said.
“Inflation has dropped to 14.5 per cent today, compared to about 34 per cent in 2024.”
He cited falling prices of food commodities.
“The price of a bag of rice today is about ₦60,000. This time last year, it was close to ₦100,000,” he said.
“The prices are coming down. Nigerians are beginning to see the positive effects of the reforms.”
Basiru acknowledged lingering insecurity but said there have been measurable improvements.
“I like speaking to facts, not making sweeping generalisations,” he said.
“When President Bola Tinubu came into office, the entire South-East was almost impassable.”
He said the situation has since improved.
“Today, the South-East has been stabilised and there is a far more peaceful situation,” he said.
“There have also been significant improvements in Southern Kaduna and other flashpoints.”
However, he admitted the problem has not been completely resolved.
“To say that insecurity has been totally addressed would not be correct,” Basiru said.
“It is a lingering problem, but we are serious and committed to confronting it.”
Defending Nigeria’s military intervention in Benin Republic, Basiru said it was both lawful and necessary.
“There were two distinct requests from a sovereign government,” he said.
“If a major crisis erupts in Benin, how do you expect it will not spill over into Nigeria?”
He said swift action was justified.
“Time is essential in matters of intervention,” he said.
“We are proud of the Nigerian military for nipping in the bud what would have been a catastrophic destabilisation of a neighbouring country.”
Basiru dismissed criticism of recent ambassadorial nominations, including that of former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
“Nigerian law is clear — everyone is presumed innocent until proven otherwise,” he said.
“None of the people on that list is facing criminal prosecution.”
He defended Yakubu’s appointment.
“There is no law preventing someone who has served his country creditably from serving again in another capacity,” Basiru said.
“Even under Mahmood Yakubu, the APC lost elections.”
He concluded by defending presidential prerogative.
“It is the prerogative of the president to nominate, and the duty of the National Assembly to confirm or reject,” he said.
“Why should I be drinking Panadol for the president’s headache?”
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
