The party said the opposition entered 2026 without a clear agenda for renewal, replacing substantive political engagement with repeated expressions of dissatisfaction and public outrage

By Titilope Adako

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised opposition parties for what it described as a lack of direction, coherent policies, and internal cohesion, urging them to engage more constructively with Nigeria’s democratic process as the new year begins.

In a statement on Monday, the party said the opposition entered 2026 without a clear agenda for renewal, replacing substantive political engagement with repeated expressions of dissatisfaction and public outrage.

The Lagos APC warned that a weak and disorganised opposition poses risks to democratic development, stressing that “democracy thrives on the contest of ideas rather than persistent confrontation and institutional sabotage.”

The party urged critics of the government to base their arguments on credible policy positions and accountability rather than rhetoric or grievance-driven narratives. It also called on opposition parties to respect democratic outcomes, uphold the rule of law, and exercise responsibility in public discourse.

The APC added that allegations of persecution should not be used to evade legal scrutiny, noting that accountability is a normal feature of democratic governance. The party also faulted opposition figures for externalising blame for internal challenges, saying, “Political parties must take responsibility for resolving their organisational and leadership issues rather than attributing failures to institutions or political rivals.”

On issues of security and national unity, the party urged opposition leaders to take firm stances against terrorism, violence, and criminality, warning that selective condemnation or ambiguous rhetoric undermines public trust and moral authority.

While criticising the opposition, the Lagos APC defended the Tinubu-led Federal Government, highlighting its focus on economic reforms, strengthening national security, and laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

The party contrasted the government’s actions with the opposition’s reliance on rhetoric rather than solutions, saying: “While the opposition perfects complaint-writing and grievance-tweeting, the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing the unglamorous work of governance fixing a distorted economy, taking tough but necessary decisions, strengthening the security architecture and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.”

The APC added that governance requires difficult decisions and accused the opposition of preferring “hard talk without hard thinking.”

It concluded by advising opposition parties to prioritise ideas over insults, policy development over propaganda, and national interest over partisan rivalry, noting, “Nigeria needs critics, yes—but not critics who mistake volume for value or bitterness for vision.”

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