By Emmanuel Igumbor, PhD
Nigeria is a country blessed with enormous human and natural resources, yet millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inflation, poor infrastructure, and declining living standards. Since the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power at the federal level in 2015, Nigerians have experienced major economic and social difficulties. For this reason, there is a strong argument that Nigeria must reject the APC and embrace a different political direction that places the welfare of ordinary citizens above partisan interests.
One of the strongest reasons Nigeria must reject the APC is the deterioration in the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians. Under the APC, the cost of food, transportation, housing, electricity, and other basic necessities have6 risen dramatically. Many families that could previously afford basic needs now struggle to survive. Inflation has significantly reduced the value of people’s salaries and savings, while wages have failed to keep pace with the increasing cost of living. A government should not merely measure economic progress by statistics; it should also consider whether ordinary citizens can afford food, education, healthcare, and decent housing.
Another major concern is unemployment and the lack of economic opportunities for young Nigerians. Nigeria has one of the largest populations of young people in Africa, and this population should be an enormous economic advantage. However, many young people continue to face unemployment, underemployment, and limited opportunities. Graduates often spend years searching for jobs, while many others are forced into informal work or seek opportunities abroad. The growing desire among Nigerians to leave the country in search of better opportunities is a serious warning sign that the government must address.
Insecurity is another reason why Nigerians should reconsider their support for the APC. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and other forms of insecurity have affected many parts of the country. Farmers have been displaced from their lands, businesses have been disrupted, and families have lost loved ones. A government’s most fundamental responsibility is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. When citizens are afraid to travel, farm, attend school, or conduct business because of insecurity, the government must be held accountable and demanded to do better.
The condition of public infrastructure also raises serious concerns. Nigerians continue to experience inadequate electricity supply, poor roads, overcrowded hospitals, and weaknesses in public education. These problems did not begin with the APC, but after more than a decade of APC leadership at the federal level, Nigerians are entitled to ask whether sufficient progress has been made. Political parties should be judged not only by their promises but by the tangible improvements they deliver to citizens.
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The APC’s economic policies have also generated significant controversy. Policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign-exchange rates were defended as necessary reforms, but they placed substantial immediate pressure on ordinary Nigerians. While economic reforms may sometimes be necessary, successful reforms should be accompanied by effective measures to protect vulnerable citizens. When the cost of adjustment is overwhelmingly carried by the poor and middle class, citizens have legitimate reasons to question whether the policies are working for them.
Furthermore, Nigerians must reject the idea that political parties should remain in power simply because they have been in power before. Democracy is built on accountability. Political parties must understand that elections are an opportunity for citizens to evaluate their performance. If a government has failed to meet the expectations of the people, citizens have the democratic right to vote for another party.
This does not mean that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, or any other political organisation should receive unconditional support. Nigeria’s political problems are deeper than one political party. However, rejecting the APC can serve as a demand for better leadership, stronger accountability, improved institutions, and policies that genuinely prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.
It is also important to acknowledge that some of Nigeria’s problems existed before the APC came to power. The APC inherited many economic, security, infrastructural, and institutional challenges from previous administrations. Nevertheless, after years in government, the APC cannot continue to use the failures of previous administrations as the primary explanation for every present difficulty. A government must ultimately be judged by what it does with the opportunities and resources available to it.
Nigeria needs leadership that understands that economic growth must translate into improved living standards, that security must protect ordinary citizens, and that public resources must be used responsibly. The country needs leaders who will invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and young people while strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law.
In conclusion, Nigeria must reject the APC not because another political party is automatically perfect, but because democracy requires citizens to hold governments accountable. Rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and economic hardship have created legitimate reasons for Nigerians to demand a new direction. The future of Nigeria should not be determined by party loyalty but by the question of which leadership can best protect the interests and aspirations of the Nigerian people. If the APC has failed to meet those expectations, Nigerian voters have both the right and the responsibility to seek an alternative.
Emmanuel Igumbor, PhD
Professor of Computational and Theoretical Physics
Political Analyst and Advocate for the Liberation of Ika Land
