The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted recent claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that Nigeria’s democracy is facing an “existential threat,” describing the assertion as alarmist and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party said the comments, now being echoed within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reflect growing anxiety within opposition ranks rather than any genuine danger to the nation’s democratic system.
The APC noted that it was ironic for political actors who have repeatedly tested democratic institutions to suddenly project themselves as defenders of democracy.
According to the party, Nigeria’s democratic framework has continued to function effectively since May 29, 2023, with elections conducted, courts adjudicating disputes, the legislature exercising oversight, and citizens enjoying constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. It stressed that the opposition has continued to speak, protest, and seek legal redress freely—conditions inconsistent with claims of democratic collapse.
The Lagos APC further described the ADC as a fragile political coalition grappling with internal contradictions, weak ideological grounding, and competing personal ambitions. It argued that the party’s recent rhetoric is driven by a quest for relevance following repeated electoral setbacks.
The statement added that democracy does not fail because individual ambitions are frustrated, nor is it threatened when the electorate makes choices that do not favour certain political interests. It maintained that winning and losing are essential elements of democratic practice.
Reaffirming confidence in the current administration, the Lagos APC said Nigeria’s democracy remains resilient and firmly anchored under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It noted that ongoing reforms, though challenging, are rooted in constitutional order, the rule of law, and democratic accountability.
The party advised Atiku Abubakar and his political associates to come to terms with political realities, insisting that Nigeria is not in crisis and that democratic institutions remain stable.
“The issue is not the collapse of democracy,” the statement said, “but the growing fear within the opposition as Nigerians move on.”
The statement was signed by Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, Spokesman, Lagos State APC, dated February 8, 2026.
