A Call for National Awakening: The APC’s Legacy of Failure and The Need for Political Redemption | Amb. Adedipe (Southwest PDP Ex-Officio)

Nigeria, once hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” has faced numerous governance challenges over the years. However, the period under the All Progressives Congress (APC) has left many citizens grappling with a sense of betrayal, disillusionment, and despair. The need to call out this misgovernance and hold leaders accountable has never been more urgent. As concerned citizens, we must say No to APC, a party that has repeatedly undermined democratic principles, harbored alleged criminals, and failed to deliver on its promises of change and development.

Institutionalizing Impunity: From Corruption to Sanctuary
The APC, since assuming power in 2015, has created what appears to be a safe haven for individuals with pending corruption cases. Numerous politically exposed persons have found refuge in the party, where joining APC appears to grant unofficial amnesty from prosecution. This phenomenon has fueled the public perception that once a person defects to the APC, their sins are forgiven, and anti-corruption cases are suspended or slowed down.
Examples include:

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu: Convicted of N7.1 billion fraud in 2019, later released on technical grounds. Despite the serious charges, he remains a prominent APC figure.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode: Formerly a fierce critic of APC, Fani-Kayode joined the party in 2021 despite facing multiple corruption charges with EFCC. His defection was widely perceived as a ploy to escape legal consequences.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State: His name surfaced in multiple corruption allegations during his time as a senator. Yet, under APC, he rose to the governorship, raising questions about selective justice.
This pattern of “political laundering” undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and erodes public trust in the rule of law.

Economic Mismanagement and Rising Poverty
Under APC’s leadership, Nigeria has seen skyrocketing inflation, record-high unemployment, and currency devaluation. From 2015 to 2023, the Nigerian Naira depreciated from around ₦199/$1 to over ₦1500/$1 in the official market. and even worse in parallel markets.
The World Bank and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed that:

Over 133 million Nigerians are now multi-dimensionally poor (NBS, 2022).

The unemployment rate peaked at 33.3% in 2021, one of the highest globally.

Foreign direct investment declined drastically due to poor policies, insecurity, and erratic monetary frameworks.
Despite campaign promises of economic revitalization, Nigeria’s economy has regressed under APC’s watch.

Security Breakdown: A Nation Under Siege
Under the APC, Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Citizens face threats from:

Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North-East,

Bandits and kidnappers in the North-West and North-Central,

Unknown gunmen and separatist violence in the South-East,

Oil theft and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
According to the Global Terrorism Index (2023), Nigeria remains among the top countries affected by terrorism. APC-led federal governments have repeatedly promised to end insecurity but have failed to produce sustainable solutions.

Democratic Erosion and Electoral Manipulations
The 2023 elections were marred by widespread irregularities, voter suppression, and technical failures, including:

BVAS and IReV server failure, contradicting INEC’s promise of transparency.

Allegations of result tampering, ballot snatching, and violence in states like my Lagos, Rivers, and Kogi.

Delayed justice in electoral tribunals and controversial court judgments have further damaged public confidence in democratic institutions.
These developments point to a dangerous erosion of democratic norms under APC.

Conclusion: Time to Say NO
The APC has governed with incompetence, impunity, and insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Nigerians. From institutional corruption to economic decay and insecurity, the party has failed to uphold the trust of the Nigerian people.
We must rise in unison to reject a political structure that has turned governance into a sanctuary for criminality. We must demand transparency, equity, and justice in our politics.
The time is now. Let us reclaim Nigeria from the stranglehold of a party that has repeatedly disappointed its citizens. Let us build a country rooted in accountability, justice, and hope.
Nigerians must say NO to APC.

Prince Amb (Dr) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
Southwest PDP Ex-officio