The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Nigeria’s democracy will remain stable even if some opposition parties fail to appear on the ballot in future elections.
The party made the remark on Tuesday while reacting to complaints by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged threats to its participation in upcoming polls.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC said democracy operates within the framework of laws and institutional procedures rather than political pressure.
“Democracy is governed by laws and institutional procedures, not by sentiment, entitlement, or alarmist propaganda,” the statement read.
The party maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) operates strictly within constitutional provisions and that all political parties must comply with electoral regulations.
According to the APC, failure by any party to meet electoral requirements will naturally attract consequences.
“Compliance is not optional. Any political party that fails to meet stipulated requirements must bear the full consequences of its own actions,” the party stated.
The ruling party said the electoral process applies equally to all political parties and warned that no organisation is above the law.
The party referenced its own experience during the 2019 general elections, when the APC was barred from participating in elections in Zamfara and Rivers states due to legal and procedural issues.
It said the development demonstrated that electoral sanctions are not unique to opposition parties.
According to the APC, the precedent shows that political parties must follow due process or risk exclusion from the ballot.
The Lagos APC also accused the opposition of attempting to shift responsibility for its challenges onto the ruling party.
“It is disingenuous for a faction-ridden opposition party to externalise blame and attempt to cast the ruling party as a scapegoat for what are clearly self-inflicted wounds,” the statement said.
The party described the internal crisis within the ADC as the result of disorganisation and procedural lapses that have weakened the party’s credibility.
“The electoral process is bigger than any single political party. Heaven will not fall if the ADC, or any other party fails to appear on the ballot as a result of its own non-compliance,” the APC added.
The APC urged political actors to focus on resolving internal conflicts and complying with electoral guidelines instead of making public accusations.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to credible elections and called on stakeholders to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
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