The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the democratic credentials of former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, accusing them of lacking a genuine historical commitment to Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
In a statement titled “Democracy Without Sacrifice: The Myth of Obi and Atiku”, the party argued that true democracy is sustained by sacrifice, consistency, respect for institutions, and fidelity to the will of the people, rather than selective outrage or convenience-driven politics.
The APC claimed that a review of Nigeria’s democratic history shows neither Obi nor Atiku played a significant role in the fight against military rule, a period when activists endured detention, exile, and intimidation in defense of democratic ideals. “They made no sacrifices, bore no scars, and took no risks in defense of democracy. Yet today, they seek to appropriate the moral capital earned by braver patriots,” the statement said.
The party also questioned Obi’s political trajectory, highlighting his movement across multiple parties as evidence of opportunism rather than ideological commitment. “Democracy requires patience, loyalty to institutions, and maturity—not protests driven by personal disappointment over electoral outcomes,” it added.
Regarding Atiku, the APC said his long history of party defections in pursuit of the presidency reflected ambition without ideological anchorage. The party described as ironic his recent portrayal of himself as a victim of a system he had helped shape over the years.
The Lagos APC further criticized emerging opposition coalitions involving the two politicians, arguing that they were alliances built on resentment over electoral outcomes rather than shared vision or ideology. “Alliances forged by bitterness and desperation are not democratic alternatives; they are temporary shelters for unfulfilled ambition,” the statement said.
The party emphasized that democracy is defined not by post-election protests but by responsible conduct before, during, and after the electoral process, including respect for the rule of law and constructive opposition. It urged Nigerians to assess political actors based on their commitment to democratic institutions and their acceptance of electoral outcomes rather than rhetoric.
Concluding, the APC challenged Obi and Atiku to present verifiable records of their democratic credentials, “devoid of fairytales,” for public scrutiny.
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