Lagos APC says democracy will survive if PDP, ADC miss elections

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that Nigeria’s democracy will remain intact even if opposition parties fail to appear on the ballot in forthcoming elections. The party made this known in a statement by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, amid growing political tensions and internal disputes within opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Responding to complaints by a faction of the ADC over alleged threats to its participation in future elections, the APC maintained that democracy is guided by laws and institutional processes rather than sentiment or political pressure.

“Democracy is governed by laws and institutional procedures, not by sentiment, entitlement, or alarmist propaganda,” the statement said.

But the Lagos ADC, in a statement by Olusegun Adekayero on behalf of the party’s Directorate of Communication, warned that such remarks could undermine democratic inclusion. He noted that Oladejo’s comment—suggesting that “heaven will not fall” over opposition concerns—was troubling and reflective of the ruling party’s attitude toward political plurality.

Adekayero said that while electoral processes are guided by laws and institutional frameworks, it was “misleading and irresponsible” for the APC to trivialise issues relating to transparency, fairness, and administrative consistency in the conduct of elections.

The APC emphasised that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) operates strictly within constitutional provisions, stressing that compliance with electoral guidelines is mandatory for all political parties. It warned that parties that fail to meet stipulated requirements must bear the consequences of their actions.

“Compliance is not optional. Any political party that fails to meet stipulated requirements must bear the full consequences of its own actions,” the statement added.

Citing precedent, the Lagos APC recalled its own exclusion from the 2019 general elections in Zamfara and Rivers states due to legal and procedural issues, noting that no party is above the law.

The party also accused sections of the opposition of attempting to deflect responsibility, attributing the current situation to internal crises within the ADC. “It is disingenuous for a faction-ridden opposition party to externalise blame and attempt to cast the ruling party as a scapegoat for what are clearly self-inflicted wounds,” the statement said.

The APC further described the ADC’s internal challenges as a result of disorder and procedural lapses, which it said had undermined the party’s credibility. “The electoral process is bigger than any single political party. Heaven will not fall if the ADC, or any other party, fails to appear on the ballot as a result of its own non-compliance,” it added.

The party urged political actors to resolve internal disputes and adhere strictly to electoral guidelines rather than resort to public accusations. Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, the APC called on all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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