“Opposition In Disarray”: Akpabio Throws Shade, But Is He Missing The Bigger Picture?
At a time when Nigeria’s political future seems increasingly uncertain, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a swipe at opposition parties, suggesting that their inability to unify stems from their constant criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. But while his comments were cloaked in political banter, they raise a more serious question: Is Nigeria’s democracy being deepened or diluted?
The Venue, The Message, and The Jab
Akpabio made the remarks during the commissioning of a newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway in Abuja — a public works project framed as a sign of progress under the current government. The event drew not only members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but also notable PDP figures like former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ayo Fayose, adding a rich layer of irony to his comments.
In a statement echoing President Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, Akpabio said:
“Like the president said that he does not want a one-party state for Nigeria. He is praying that the opposition would put their houses in order… But you will never come together when you continue to tell lies on a daily basis.”
To many observers, it sounded less like an olive branch and more like a political elbow to the ribs.
The Opposition’s Challenge: Disunity or Delegitimization?
It’s no secret that Nigeria’s major opposition parties — particularly the PDP and Labour Party — have struggled to present a united front. Leadership crises, internal betrayal, and ideological confusion have left them fragmented. But Akpabio’s suggestion that “telling lies daily” is what keeps them from uniting skirts a deeper issue: criticism is a core function of opposition in any democracy.
In a functioning democratic setup, opposing views are not just tolerated — they are necessary. When criticism is automatically labeled as “falsehood” or “unpatriotic,” the space for political accountability begins to shrink.
Tinubu’s One-Party Warning: Strategic or Symbolic?
Interestingly, President Tinubu himself has voiced concern about the dangers of a one-party state — a rare admission from a sitting leader in control of both the executive and legislative branches. But this “concern” might also be a calculated political move.
By appearing to welcome a strong opposition, Tinubu and his allies can deflect accusations of authoritarian drift. Meanwhile, control remains centralized and unchallenged, particularly when opposition voices are delegitimized as mere noise or misinformation.
Akpabio’s own words confirm this strategy:
“If you cannot come together, [the president] would not help you to come together. This is politics.”
Translation? Your dysfunction is our advantage.
From 1960 to Now: A Nation Evolving, But How?
Akpabio also rhetorically asked: “Was Nigeria like this in 1960? Was Abuja like this three years ago?”
True, Nigeria’s infrastructure has seen notable growth, and Abuja continues to transform. But the real question isn’t whether buildings have gone up — it’s whether institutions have been strengthened, whether trust in governance has improved, and whether the average Nigerian feels more secure and economically empowered today than yesterday.
And here, both ruling and opposition parties have fallen short.
Conclusion: What Nigeria Needs More Than Banter
Akpabio’s speech, full of sarcasm and strategic deflection, captures a moment of tension in Nigeria’s political evolution. Yes, the opposition is divided. Yes, some criticisms are exaggerated or politically motivated. But to frame all dissent as dishonest is dangerous, and to gloat over a fractured opposition is shortsighted.
What Nigeria needs isn’t less opposition — it needs a stronger, more credible opposition that can challenge power constructively, propose alternatives, and hold leaders accountable.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. And in the game of politics, mocking the other team won’t build a better country.
Do you think Akpabio is right about the opposition’s failures, or is he simply deflecting from real issues? Share your thoughts in the comments.