The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed claims that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state, describing such views as exaggerated and politically motivated.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on Prime Time on ARISE NEWS, Basiru said Nigeria remains firmly a multiparty democracy, despite the growing strength of the ruling APC and recent defections from opposition parties. He described the concerns as “an odious comment” coming from what he termed “internally displaced politicians.”
According to him, the current political landscape clearly reflects multiparty democracy, with different parties still controlling states across the country.
“Yes, the APC has 27 governors, but the PDP has five, APGA has one, NNPP has one, and another party recently won a governorship seat,” he said. “What better illustration of multiparty democracy do you want?”
Basiru argued that democracy does not require the ruling party to deliberately weaken itself to appease the opposition.
“Multiparty democracy does not mean the ruling party should become complacent or allow itself to be weakened,” he said, adding that freedom of association, expression and political organisation remain intact in Nigeria.
He also rejected allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was using anti-corruption agencies to intimidate opposition figures. According to him, institutions like the EFCC operate independently, noting that even prominent APC members are facing prosecution.
“If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear,” Basiru said. “Belonging to the opposition does not give anyone immunity from investigation.”
He recalled that President Tinubu himself once stood trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal while still actively participating in opposition politics, insisting that legal scrutiny has never stopped genuine political engagement.
On claims that governors were defecting to the APC to escape prosecution, Basiru described the argument as illogical, pointing out that sitting governors already enjoy constitutional immunity. He said most defectors cited practical reasons such as access to federal infrastructure projects and economic support.
Addressing speculation that the APC was banking on regional voting blocs to secure victory in 2027, Basiru said the party was building a truly national platform.
“We are not targeting regions; we are building a pan-Nigerian party that Nigerians from all walks of life can identify with,” he said.
On the economy, Basiru defended Tinubu’s reforms, acknowledging initial hardship but insisting that the benefits were beginning to show. He claimed inflation had dropped significantly and food prices were easing.
“Last year, inflation was over 30 per cent. Today it’s about 14.5 per cent,” he said, adding that a bag of rice now sells for around ₦60,000 compared to nearly ₦100,000 a year ago.
While admitting that insecurity remains a challenge, Basiru said progress had been made in several regions, including the South-East and parts of Southern Kaduna.
“To say there has been no improvement in two and a half years would be unfair,” he said, stressing that the government remains committed to tackling security issues.
Overall, Basiru maintained that the APC’s growing influence is a result of performance and organisation, not intimidation, and insisted that Nigeria’s democracy remains alive and competitive.
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