APC SECRETARY: OPPOSITION UPSET OVER LOST ACCESS TO NIGERIA’S RESOURCES
Read Time:2 Minute, 0 Second
By: Fasasi Hammad
Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday dismissed recent criticisms from opposition leaders, claiming they are “mourning the loss of opportunity to exploit Nigeria’s resources” rather than genuinely advocating for citizens’ welfare.
Basiru made the remarks after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, shortly after Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Responding to a press conference earlier in the week by opposition figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi—who expressed concerns about Nigeria becoming a one-party state under Tinubu, Basiru stated:
“They were not crying for ordinary Nigerians. They were not concerned about our people’s development. They were crying because of lost privilege and the inability to continue exploiting the resources of Nigerians.”
He credited President Tinubu with blocking widespread corruption, citing the rise in Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $3 billion to $49 billion as evidence. Basiru added that subsidy profiteering and other leakages had been curtailed, which fueled opposition complaints.
Highlighting economic improvements, he said Nigerians are “happy because the country is getting better economically,” noting stronger naira performance and a drop in food inflation from roughly 35% to 15%.
Basiru also dismissed opposition criticism of the Electoral Act 2026, calling detractors “a committee of circus displayers” and accusing them of speaking out of ignorance and lacking credibility. He urged opposition parties to reconnect with Nigerians and regain electoral viability.
With Fintiri’s defection, the APC now governs 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, leaving the PDP with three states and the Labour Party, Accord Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance with one each. Basiru described this expansion as proof of the APC’s broad national acceptance and President Tinubu’s political acumen.
Opposition parties—including the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP—have expressed concern that defections are being driven by federal influence, alleging harassment by security agencies and manipulation of electoral and judicial processes. They also criticized the Electoral Act 2026 for creating loopholes favoring larger parties.
The Presidency, however, has dismissed these claims as “reckless and spurious,” designed to mislead the public. Basiru confirmed the APC’s ongoing preparations for upcoming state congresses following successful ward and local government elections, asserting that defections reflect public dissatisfaction with opposition performance and endorsement of APC policies.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0