Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly rejected accusations that the party is steering Nigeria toward a one-party system. He remarked: “We should not allow anybody to gaslight us; let it be that all 109 in the Senate are members of APC, 360 of the reps should be APC, and all the state assemblies should be APC. It’s part of democracy.” His message underscores a firm stance against what he calls deliberate misrepresentations of the party’s intentions.
Ajibola Basiru insisted that while the party welcomes electoral success, the claims of a one-party state are shallow and politically motivated. He argued that opposing voices who use the spectre of one-party rule are in fact trying to undermine the presidency of Bola Tinubu and destabilize democratic governance. According to Basiru, it’s disingenuous to object to the party winning freely at the ballot.
Ajibola Basiru further maintained that democracy entails competition and victory, and that the APC’s dominance would only be confirmed by voters if given the chance. He said the party must guard against being muted or manipulated by narratives that portray success as an automatic drift to authoritarianism. His remarks have ignited debate about the status of electoral dominance and the boundaries of democratic plurality in Nigeria.
Ajibola Basiru Frames APC Goal as ‘Winning Elections’, Not Eliminating Opposition
Ajibola Basiru clarified that his call for APC to win large majorities (in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies) should be seen as ambition in a competitive democracy—not the eradication of opposition voices. He argued: “It’s part of democracy,” emphasising that dominance in numbers is not automatically dominance in voice. His framing has been interpreted as a defence of electoral mandate rather than a blueprint for one-party rule.
Ajibola Basiru drew attention to Nigeria’s political history, where several parties have waxed and waned, and said that the APC’s current strength should be tested by the scorched earth of elections—not by assumptions of inevitable rule. He warned that opponents are “gaslighting” by conflating electoral victory with dictatorship. His comments open conversations about how a dominant party manages opposition in a democratic context.
Ajibola Basiru also stressed the importance of internal democracy within the APC, suggesting that even as the party seeks wide electoral reach, it must maintain healthy debate, accountability, and renewal. He said that the party’s strength lies not simply in the number of seats it holds, but in responsiveness, governance, and legitimacy. Observers say this message could signal efforts within the APC to reposition itself for long-term credibility.
Ajibola Basiru Urges APC Members to Stay Focused Amid External Pressure
Ajibola Basiru addressed members and supporters of the APC directly, urging them to remain vigilant against what he described as smear campaigns aimed at portraying the party’s victories as threats to Nigeria’s pluralism. He asked: how can the party accept being told that “winning is bad”? He encouraged party faithful to continue engaging in rallies, campaigns, and manifesting their presence, as democratic participation—he implied—was the antidote to claims of monopoly.
Ajibola Basiru highlighted that the APC should not shrink from ambition, but must also ensure that its expansion is inclusive and respectful of democratic norms. He said that achieving majorities in legislative bodies is not the issue; the real measure will be how the party acts once in those positions. His invitation to the youth, women, and other stakeholders aims to show that a party’s strength comes from broad-based engagement, not exclusion.
Ajibola Basiru concluded by reiterating that any attempt to paint electoral victory as authoritarian takeover is a tactic of destabilisation. He asked party members to keep the narrative alive: victory is valid; democracy is real; and pluralism must be defended both in rhetoric and in practice. With this bold message, Basiru has set the tone for the APC’s public discourse in the coming months.
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