Labour Party Accuses APC of Using State Power to Cripple Opposition
Nenadi Usman faction says ruling party leveraging institutions to silence dissent, calls for opposition unity ahead of 2027
A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by former senator Nenadi Usman has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is misusing state institutions to destabilize opposition parties and suppress democratic participation.
Speaking at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Global Award and Dinner Night held in Abuja, Usman—represented by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Eluma Asogwa—accused the APC of weaponising state power to disrupt political competition and silence dissent.
“Since assuming power, the APC has consistently employed tactics ranging from infiltration to judicial manipulation, all aimed at weakening the opposition,” she said.
According to her, the ruling party has not only consolidated control but also actively worked to dismantle credible alternatives to its leadership—a move she described as “domination masked as governance.”
Usman urged other opposition parties to recognize the broader threat and set aside personal ambitions and infighting for the greater goal of democratic restoration.
“Let’s be brutally honest. Internal divisions, greed, and unchecked ambition have also contributed to the opposition’s vulnerability. We must confront these issues head-on,” she stated.
While acknowledging the role of external interference from the APC, Usman emphasized that democracy cannot thrive without a strong, unified opposition that challenges power and presents viable alternatives.
“The presence of dissent is what gives democracy life. It’s not submission that sustains a republic, but bold, credible opposition,” she added.
She called on political coalition partners and other progressive platforms to recommit to the larger goal of ensuring President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid is met with a formidable challenge in the 2027 general elections.
The remarks come amid rising political tension and reports of increased state involvement in opposition party affairs, a trend many observers say threatens the foundations of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
