Table of Contents
APC Faces Criticism for Inconsistent Stance on International Intervention in Nigeria’s Democracy
Contradictions in APC’s Response to PDP Chairman’s Appeal to the U.S.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under fire for what many perceive as hypocrisy following its denunciation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN. Turaki recently urged then U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in Nigeria’s democratic affairs, a move the APC labeled as unpatriotic and tantamount to inviting foreign interference.
Felix Morka, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, condemned Turaki’s appeal, describing it as reckless and a call for external invasion. However, this stance has been challenged by Moses Alao, Special Assistant on Print Media to the Oyo State Governor, who highlighted the APC’s own history of soliciting international involvement during its opposition days.
Historical Parallels: APC’s Past Calls for Foreign Attention
In 2014, the APC, led by then National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, publicly alerted both Nigerians and the global community about what it described as a severe threat to Nigeria’s democracy under the ruling government. The party accused the federal administration of authoritarian tendencies that endangered the nation’s survival.
Alao argues that the APC’s current condemnation of Turaki’s similar appeal is disingenuous and amounts to political double standards. He asserts that the ruling party’s criticism ignores its own precedent of seeking international support to safeguard democratic principles.
Recent Events Highlighting Democratic Challenges
Turaki’s call to the international community was prompted by a violent incident at the PDP National Secretariat, where party members, including Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, along with Board of Trustees members and the National Working Committee, were barred from entering and attacked by expelled PDP members allegedly backed by the Presidency.
This attack, reportedly orchestrated by a serving minister, has been cited as evidence of the APC-led federal government’s undermining of democratic processes. In response, Turaki appealed to President Trump and global organizations to intervene and protect Nigeria’s democracy, a sentiment echoed by Governor Makinde, who emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the nation’s democratic future.
Calls for Consistency and Accountability from APC
Alao praised Turaki’s intervention as both timely and patriotic, urging the APC to acknowledge its past actions rather than dismiss the current appeal. He challenged President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership to confront their history instead of feigning ignorance.
“The APC has consistently manipulated the rules to secure power, expecting Nigerians to forget their own history,” Alao stated. “On June 20, 2014, the APC called on the international community to intervene, warning that Nigeria’s democracy was in grave danger. They even threatened to reject election outcomes and incited unrest against the federal government.”
He further emphasized that the APC’s inability to tolerate similar scrutiny now is ironic, given that it was the party that ignited much of the political turmoil. Alao insists that Nigeria’s democracy is currently facing unprecedented threats, necessitating support from all rational actors, including international partners, to uphold democratic governance.
Revisiting APC’s 2014 Statement: A Lesson in Political Integrity
To underscore his point, Alao quoted the APC’s 2014 declaration: “We call on our international partners to condemn this growing impunity by the ruling party and the government it controls at the centre. Actions have consequences, and whoever fails to condemn the acts of impunity being perpetrated by the central government will not have the moral right to condemn the reactions that such actions may elicit.”
He concluded that the APC lacks the ethical standing to criticize Turaki’s appeal to President Trump, urging the party to appreciate the peaceful intentions of current PDP leaders who prioritize the survival of democracy over political gain. “Had it not been for their commitment to peace, the situation could have deteriorated further,” Alao remarked.
