In a recent explosive interview on Arise News, Farouk Aliyu, former Minority Leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and staunch All Progressives Congress (APC) insider, made chilling remarks about his party’s approach to political opposition.
His unapologetic admission that the APC intends to suffocate all opposition forces has ignited controversy, raising deep concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future.
An Unvarnished Threat Against Opposition Parties
Aliyu did not mince words. He candidly revealed that the APC, which currently holds power under President Bola Tinubu, is bent on ensuring that opposition parties “do not see the light of day.”
According to him, the party will do “everything possible” to block opposition efforts, including disrupting attempts to prevent Tinubu’s reelection.
Drawing a stark parallel, Aliyu proudly boasted,
“We ganged up to bring down former President Goodluck Jonathan,” underscoring a ruthless political history that the party is seemingly ready to repeat.
His cold, strategic tone makes it clear.
The ruling party plans to use relentless tactics to marginalize adversaries in this election cycle and beyond.
A Conflicted Acknowledgment of Opposition’s Role
Despite his aggressive rhetoric, Aliyu awkwardly acknowledges the theoretical necessity of opposition in a democracy.
He insisted that the APC respects opposition parties as “respected Nigerians” and claims the party “has no problem” with them.
Yet, this respect is hollow when juxtaposed against his unapologetic vow that politically.
The opposition “shall not be allowed to rear their heads.”
His comments highlight a fundamental contradiction a superficial nod to democratic ideals.
Overshadowed by a realpolitik agenda intent on domination.
The Elite Versus The Masses: A Blunt Critique
Aliyu shifted tone to societal divisions, painting a stark picture of Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.
He argued that Nigeria’s ruling elite, including himself, are united above religious and ethnic lines.
“At the elite level, there is no Muslim or Christian; we are not enemies,” he said, condemning the masses for the violence and discord that have resulted from elite manipulations.
“Down below, the masses will kill themselves because of us,” he admitted with rare candor, implicitly confessing that the ruling class exploits divisions among ordinary Nigerians for political control.
This brutal honesty about elite manipulation and societal fissures exposed uncomfortable truths that many political figures evade acknowledging.
A Party without Principles
Aliyu’s remarks reveal a disturbing willingness within the APC to quash political opposition not through democratic contest, but through calculated suppression.
His words imply that political competition is less about policy and dialogue.
And more about consolidating power at all costs.
Such attitudes threaten the foundational principles of democracy.
The ruling party’s apparent acceptance if not eagerness for political intolerance runs counter to Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of political freedom.
Threatening to erode the country’s fragile democratic institutions.
The Legacy of Political Intolerance
The reference to the campaign against former President Goodluck Jonathan reminds Nigerians of past political rancor marked by divisive tactics, exclusion, and acrimony.
Aliyu’s admission that APC “ganged up” to bring down Jonathan is a blunt reminder of how political rivalry has often devolved into ruthless power plays.
If this pattern repeats itself under the Tinubu administration, Nigerian democracy stands to suffer.
The prospect of a dominant ruling party determined to “make sure opposition does not survive” signals a return to hyper-partisanship and possible oppression of dissenting voices.
The Danger of Elite Supremacy and Masses’ Exploitation
Aliyu’s words expose the real fault lines in Nigerian politics.
The elite’s shared interests and pact across ethnic and religious lines contrasted with the fragmented.
Often pitted masses who bear the brunt of political gamesmanship.
This elite solidarity has long perpetuated a system where ordinary citizens are manipulated into conflicts that distract from governance failures and elite self-preservation.
Aliyu’s candid admission is a call to examine how entrenched power structures undermine democratic engagement and deepen societal divisions.
Why This Matters: The Risk to Nigeria’s Democracy
Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads.
The APC’s brazen dismissal of the opposition’s right to compete freely undermines democratic contestationthe lifeblood of any functioning democracy.
If the ruling party carries out its threats, elections risk becoming mere formalities.
Lacking genuine competition and legitimacy.
This undermines public trust and weakens governance accountability.
Opening doors for authoritarian tendencies.
A Call for Vigilance and Reform
Wahalaupdate urges Nigerians and democracy advocates taking Aliyu’s words seriously.
This is not just party politics as usual it is a chilling reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions in the country.
Nigerians must demand transparency, fairness, and respect for opposition rights to safeguard democracy.
Strong institutions, free media, an empowered civil society, and vigilant electoral bodies are essential to prevent the entrenchment of one-party dominance.
Democracy Under Fire
Farouk Aliyu’s confession casts a shadow over the Nigerian political landscape.
His unapologetic assertion that the APC plans to “make sure opposition does not survive” is more than crude politics; it is a direct challenge to democratic norms and values.
As power consolidates, the risk of political exclusion and repression grows.
The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on resisting such authoritarian tendencies and insisting on political pluralism.
Citizens, activists, and institutions alike must hold ruling elites accountable to prevent the country’s democracy from sliding into obsolescence.
The time to act is now, or risk a future where political monopoly stifles dissent.
Democracy becomes a facade, and ordinary Nigerians lose their voice in shaping the country’s destiny.
Wahalaupdate will continue monitoring political developments and democratic challenges in Nigeria.
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