A Nation in Distress: How APC’s Years in Power Have Deepened Nigeria’s Crisis

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“A Nation at the Brink — Why APC’s Failures Demand a New Political Direction.”

Nigeria stands today at a perilous crossroads with economically strained, socially fragmented and morally wounded. The promise that once accompanied the rise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given way to widespread disillusionment. What was sold as a vehicle for national renewal has, in reality, become a synonym for hardship, division and stagnation. This is not hyperbole. It is the sobering verdict of millions of citizens whose lived realities speak louder than partisan spin.

From the economy to national unity, from domestic politics to global standing, from tribal tensions to religious relationships, the APC’s record has been a catalogue of missed opportunities and deepening crises. Nigeria deserves better. Nigerians deserve another party, one that puts the people above politics, unity above division and progress above self-interest.

ECONOMIC DECLINE: Hunger, Poverty, and Eroded Hope.

The heart of any nation’s stability is its economy. On this front, the APC’s performance has been deeply disappointing. Bold reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange liberalisation were touted as necessary moves to stabilise the economy and attract investment. Yet, for millions of ordinary Nigerians, these policies have translated into unbearable hardship. Prices of essential goods have soared, inflation has blasted household budgets and poverty has become entrenched in everyday life.

Critics inside and outside Nigeria point to a stark reality: despite claims of economic recovery, the benefits remain out of reach for the majority. Food inflation, transport costs and the cost of living have escalated beyond what most families can afford. Various reports highlight that poverty and food insecurity have worsened, even as macroeconomic figures are debated.

As economist and social critic Ha-Joon Chang once reminded the world, “An economy’s success should be measured by how its most vulnerable citizens fare, not by abstract figures on paper.” Today, Nigeria’s most vulnerable are sinking deeper into deprivation.

TRIBAL AND RELIGIOUS RELATIONSHIPS: Division Instead of Unity.

Nigeria’s diversity is its strength with a mosaic of peoples, cultures and histories. Yet under the APC, this diversity too often became a source of division rather than a foundation for unity. Competing ethnic interests have periodically been manipulated for political advantage, reopening old wounds and aggravating suspicions between communities. Observers have noted that political rhetoric and strategic statements have at times undermined national cohesion, diverting attention from governance failures to age-old regional tensions.

A healthy polity celebrates differences while forging shared purpose. A government should foster cooperation across tribes and religions not exploit fault lines for political survival. Nigerian scholar and author Wole Soyinka’s enduring wisdom resonates here: “The greatest threat to a nation is the corruption of its conscience.” A leadership that fuels division corrodes the moral fabric of the nation.

REGIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Neglect and Fragmentation.

A nation for the people must not be a nation divided. Though many Nigerians feel left behind. Regions that should be engines of growth have languished under policies that prioritise political expediency over structural development. The promise of balanced regional development has often been drowned by centralised decision-making that pays lip service to inclusivity but delivers little in tangible benefits.

Nigeria’s unity must be more than rhetoric; it must be reflected in policy outcomes, improved infrastructure and equitable opportunities for all regions. When citizens feel marginalised or unheard, the very idea of a united nation weakens.

PARTY RELATIONSHIPS: Internal Disarray and Erosion of Trust.

Political parties thrive on discipline, vision and inclusive leadership. Yet the APC has struggled with internal cohesion. Public disputes, defections and power struggles have underscored deeper conflicts over direction and purpose. Instead of engaging critics with constructive dialogue, party rhetoric too often resorts to personal attacks and defensive posturing, closing off spaces for genuine critique and reform.

Strong parties are not built on silencing dissent but on embracing diverse viewpoints and using them to strengthen policy and practice. The APC’s internal dynamics reflect a larger problem: a disconnect between leadership and the lived experiences of citizens.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: Compromise Over Accountability.

A robust legislature is a cornerstone of democratic governance — a check on executive power and a voice for the people. Yet, under APC dominance, the National Assembly has often appeared more an instrument of acquiescence than one of accountability. Rather than provide independent oversight, it has been criticised for aligning too closely with executive priorities, even when those priorities fail to address fundamental public needs.

Democracy is not measured by elections alone but by the capacity of institutions to hold leaders to account and to represent the interests of all citizens not just a political elite.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Reputational Strains and Missed Opportunities.

On the global stage, Nigeria’s voice once carried remarkable moral weight in Africa and beyond. Though when domestic weaknesses are projected internationally (from economic instability to insecurity) that voice diminishes. Diplomatic engagement demands a strong, confident nation, secure in its foundations and clear in its values.

While governments change and global dynamics shift, a consistent lesson from international relations scholars is that credibility comes from internal strength. A nation beset by internal anxieties cannot project the confidence needed to lead on the world stage.

HUMANITY FIRST: Policies That Hurt the People.

Above all, governance must centre on human dignity. When policies deepen suffering, particularly for the most vulnerable, leadership has lost its moral compass. The APC era has witnessed protests, public frustration and grassroots movements demanding dignity and relief from hardship. The “End Bad Governance” protests, for example, were driven by widespread discontent with rising hunger and economic distress with realities far removed from official narratives of ‘RECOVERY’.

True leadership listens first to the voices of its people not to spin doctors or political strategists.

THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW.

This is not an indictment born of bitterness, it is a call to action. Nigeria deserves a politics that places the welfare of citizens above all else. A politics that unites rather than divides. A politics that fosters prosperity, justice and opportunity for every Nigerian.

Renowned Nigerian historian and scholar Chinua Achebe once wrote that “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” It is time for Nigerians themselves (not the political elite) to reclaim the narrative of this nation.

The APC’s record across economy, unity, governance and leadership is a compelling reason to consider another party with one that builds bridges, uplifts citizens and strengthens institutions. Nigeria’s journey toward greatness cannot wait another decade in the hands of leaders who promise change but deliver distress.

Let this be the clarion call for a new chapter with one defined by responsibility, humanity, and genuine progress.