The Presidency has dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress is working to create a one-party system ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the crises affecting opposition parties are self-inflicted.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made the clarification while speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
Dare was reacting to a protest staged by leaders and supporters of the African Democratic Congress over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to suspend recognition of factions within the party’s leadership.
INEC had announced that it would no longer recognise the various leadership factions of the ADC, including the one led by Senator David Mark, citing a Court of Appeal ruling and ongoing internal disputes within the party.
The electoral commission said the decision was based on a March ruling by the Court of Appeal directing parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the matter in court.
Reacting to the development, the ADC accused the government of plotting to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 elections and staged a protest against the decision.
However, Dare rejected the allegation, stating that the APC-led government had no intention of shrinking the political space or excluding opposition parties from the electoral process.
“There are about 20 political parties in Nigeria today. No one is stopping them from functioning,” he said. “The APC will not close shop because other political parties are enmeshed in one crisis or the other.”
He argued that the challenges faced by opposition parties were largely due to internal conflicts rather than external interference from the government.
According to him, building a strong political party requires time, sacrifice, and organisational effort, adding that the ruling party had gone through similar struggles before becoming a dominant political force.
“APC is not the architect of ADC’s crisis. It is self-inflicted,” Dare said. “Instead of building their party into a strong force, the leaders are looking for shortcuts.”
He also dismissed suggestions that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was attempting to undermine democratic freedoms.
Dare pointed out that opposition figures and civil society groups continue to operate freely across the country, noting that the protest by ADC leaders itself was evidence that political space remains open.
“The federal government will always protect the rights of the people to carry out their activities,” he said.
He further questioned whether it was the responsibility of the presidency to help organise opposition parties, insisting that political organisations must build their structures independently if they hope to challenge the ruling party in future elections.