Senator Nenadi Usman, who is the acting national chairman of the Labour Party, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its failure to demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the country’s democracy.
She charged the ruling party with employing different strategies to penetrate and assimilate opposition parties.
During her speech at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Global Award and Dinner Night on Monday in Abuja, Senator Usman criticized what she called the APC’s approach of using state institutions to intimidate, harass, and manipulate the opposition to weaken them.
During a speech by Ken Eluma Asogwa, the Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the acting national chairman, Senator Usman remarked, “Since the All Progressives Congress (APC) became the ruling party, there has been an intentional and ongoing effort to weaken the opposition.
“Tactics vary from infiltration and co-option to utilizing state institutions for harassment, intimidation, and even manipulation of the judiciary. The governing party has developed a skill not only for entrenching its authority but also for diminishing any potential opposition. This does not constitute democracy. This is control disguised as governance.
“The APC cannot genuinely profess a dedication to democratic ideals while it is simultaneously attempting to undermine opposition parties such as the Labour Party and others.
A system that uses state resources to create division among rival parties is not dedicated to free and fair competition; rather, it is one that seeks authoritarian control.
The Labour Party’s acting national chairman emphasized the importance of establishing and maintaining a strong, patriotic opposition, asserting that democracy relies on dissent. She stated that the system “thrives not through silence or submission but through robust debate, critique, and the offering of credible alternatives.”
As she puts it, “Without a strong and functional opposition, we cannot claim to be practicing democracy, only a shadow of it.
Globally, we have witnessed the impact of opposition movements on the resilience of democracy. Here at home, however, we are observing the deliberate slow suffocation of dissenting voices. ”
This is when she urged the country’s opposition parties to abandon personal ambitions, greed, and internal divisions, and concentrate on offering Nigerians credible alternatives.
“But let me also speak candidly: although outside meddling from the APC has contributed, it is not the sole cause. Too often, the opposition has played a role in its own diminishment.
“We need to recognize that internal rifts, personal ambition, and greed have rendered us vulnerable. If there is no internal decay, no amount of external sabotage can succeed. For this reason, I assert that the strongest antidote is not just vigilance but true and unyielding patriotism.
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“When our leaders prioritize Nigeria – above ambition, ego, and the temptation of swift power – no ruling party can divide us. The time has come to stop acting like victims and start behaving like visionaries. It is not our job to complain about the nation’s condition; rather, we must strive for its salvation.
“A system where one party dominates without checks and balances does this country no favors. The APC, if it possesses wisdom, should recognize that democracy fades not through explosive events but through the quiet absence of dissent. When the populace has no genuine alternative, the legitimacy of the whole system becomes endangered.
“Nelson Mandela wisely stated, “A strong democracy needs a strong opposition – because only through scrutiny, criticism, and open debate can a government serve its people well.”
“This is our job. That is our mission. The opposition needs to be reconstructed not as a collection of fragmented groups vying for significance, but as a cohesive force motivated by common values, effective policy proposals*, and an unwavering determination to provide Nigerians with the leadership they merit.
“We need to highlight the shortcomings of the APC administration, including its mishandling of the economy, issues of insecurity, reduction in civic space, and the exacerbation of inequality. * However, it is crucial that we bring genuine solutions to the table and address not only the frustrations of Nigerians but also their aspirations.
“As former U.S. President Barack Obama stated, “The role of an opposition party is not simply to oppose, but to hold the government accountable, challenge ideas, and propose better ones. That is our debt to the Nigerian people.
It’s not only about criticism, but also about conviction. Not only slogans, but real content. Not only ambition, but also action. ”
