Get Guardian on GoogleThe Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of suffocating opposition parties and playing what it described as dangerous politics capable of deepening Nigeria’s religious and ethnic divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said the APC administration was using different tactics to weaken opposition parties, including alleged interference in their internal affairs and the use of state power to frustrate their political activities.
PRP National Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in a statement on Monday, said the ruling party appeared determined to secure victory in 2027 despite what it described as growing national resistance to its return.
“It is now clear to all Nigerians that APC is putting no stops in suffocating all opposition,” the party said.
Baba-Ahmed accused the APC leadership of moving beyond political competition to exploit the country’s religious and ethnic differences for electoral advantage.
He recalled the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the APC in the 2023 general elections, arguing that the decision triggered concerns about national unity and religious sensitivity.
“The APC leadership rode on the back of Muslim-Muslim sentiment to the Villa in 2023. In the process it triggered a damaging and bitter complaint that it had no regard for the sensitive, popular nature of our country,” the statement said.
The party also accused the administration of resorting to selective patronage in governance, alleging that its approach had further alienated sections of the population.
It argued that Nigerians were increasingly united in their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of insecurity and economic hardship, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.
“Now that it appears Nigerians are united in rejecting its failure to secure Christians and Muslims, and it has pauperized all Nigerians without regard to faith or tongue, the APC is resorting to cultivating new frontiers in our plural character in a bid to impose its electoral fortunes,” the PRP said.
The party warned that exploiting religious and ethnic identities for political advantage could further undermine national cohesion at a time the country was grappling with insecurity and poverty.
Baba-Ahmed commended Nigerians across religious and ethnic groups who had condemned what it described as attempts to deepen divisions, urging the ruling party to respect the country’s diversity.
He called on Nigerians to demand greater accountability from the administration and a stronger commitment to credible elections in 2027.
“All Nigerians should stand together in our demand for respect by this administration, and for more transparent commitment to credible, free and fair elections next year,” the party said.
