Dr Sam Omale, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, accusing the ruling party of institutionalising political impunity, shielding politicians accused of corruption and presiding over deepening economic hardship and insecurity.
He has consequently urged Nigerians to vote the APC out of power in the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded political statement, Omale voiced alarm over what he characterised as the steady erosion of democratic values and accountability under APC-led administrations.
He contended that the party’s handling of corruption allegations, coupled with its continued accommodation of controversial political figures, has weakened public confidence in the country’s institutions and undermined the principle of equal justice before the law.
In his view, the alleged protection of influential individuals from accountability sends a damaging message to young Nigerians: that political connections and proximity to power can insulate people from the consequences of wrongdoing.
Omale maintained that a democratic system must rest on transparency, integrity and respect for the rule of law.
He cautioned that any political culture that appears to reward individuals facing serious allegations, rather than prioritise accountability, risks eroding the moral foundations of governance.
Turning to the APC’s record since it assumed power at the federal level in 2015, he challenged the party and its supporters to point to tangible achievements that have significantly improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“Can anyone name a single tangible achievement the APC has delivered for Nigeria?” Omale asked, insisting that the hardships confronting citizens raise serious questions about the effectiveness and priorities of the ruling party.
He also criticised the economic direction of the country, citing widespread poverty, rising living costs, declining purchasing power and the growing struggle of households to meet basic needs.
According to Omale, the burden of economic adjustment has fallen disproportionately on ordinary Nigerians, many of whom continue to grapple with the cost of food, transportation, housing and other essentials.
Beyond that, he alleged that the nation’s leadership has shown insufficient empathy for the suffering of citizens, stressing that government policies must ultimately be judged by their impact on the welfare, security and economic prospects of the population.
World Bank figures offer useful context for the poverty concerns raised in the APC critic’s statement.
The bank’s October 2024 Nigeria Development Update estimated that about 129 million Nigerians were living below the national poverty line, based on projections that 56 per cent of the population was poor.
More recent World Bank data indicate that poverty remains widespread.
Its country assessment estimates that 69.6 per cent of Nigerians lived below the lower-middle-income poverty threshold of $4.20 per person per day in 2025, equivalent to roughly 123 million people.
The bank also estimated that more than 60 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line in 2025.
These figures underscore the scale of the country’s poverty challenge, although the estimates rely on different thresholds and methodologies.
Omale’s claim that more than 130 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty should therefore be distinguished from the World Bank’s specific estimates: the figure of approximately 129 million in its October 2024 report referred to people living below Nigeria’s national poverty line, while its more recent estimate put the number living below the $4.20 international threshold at approximately 123 million in 2025.
On security, Omale expressed concern over persistent insecurity across the country, arguing that the APC-led government has yet to provide the level of protection needed to restore public confidence.
Insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship, he noted, are placing mounting pressure on young people, many of whom face uncertain prospects despite their efforts to acquire education, find work and build productive livelihoods.
He warned that the combination of economic difficulty and perceived political impunity could weaken faith in democratic governance, particularly among younger citizens who expect leadership to deliver opportunity, security and a credible path to a better future.
In his assessment, the APC’s style of governance has failed to demonstrate adequate commitment to the welfare of the people. Political leadership, he added, should be defined by measurable improvements in living conditions rather than by the ability to retain power.
Omale also urged Nigerians to reflect on the direction of the country and the consequences of allowing any political party to remain in office without adequate scrutiny.
Citizens, he said, must hold elected officials accountable for their decisions and reject political arrangements that, in his view, undermine the public interest.
He stressed that joining or supporting a political party should not require anyone to abandon their principles, insisting that integrity, accountability and service to the people must remain central to political participation.
“The All Progressives Congress has fundamentally weakened Nigerian democratic institutions by fostering a culture of political impunity,” Omale asserted, calling for decisive change in leadership through the ballot box.
He appealed to Nigerians to mobilise peacefully and exercise their constitutional right to vote in 2027, declaring that the APC should be removed from power if the electorate concludes that its record does not justify another mandate.
For Omale, the forthcoming general elections present an opportunity for citizens to demand a new direction anchored on accountability, economic opportunity, national security and respect for democratic institutions.
He closed his statement with an emotional lament over the state of the nation, declaring, “Cry, my beloved country,” and urged Nigerians to reflect seriously on the country’s future and on the responsibility of political leaders to protect the interests of the people.
His remarks add to the growing debate over the APC’s record in government and the choices facing voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the heart of his argument is the conviction that no political party, the APC included, should be insulated from public scrutiny, and that the ultimate test of democratic leadership is its ability to improve citizens’ lives while upholding the rule of law.
