APC using electoral law, force to crush opposition— Galadima, ADC chieftain

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Buba Galadima, has condemned the amended Electoral Act, warning it could trigger unrest and undermine democracy. He accused the APC-led government of suppressing opposition, manipulating elections and worsening hardship. Galadima also alleged selective prosecutions and deliberate destruction of agriculture. He spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on the economy, elections and Nigeria’s political climate. David Lawani presents excerpts.

 

 

Can we begin another amendment of the Electoral Act so soon?

Why not? The current law itself came through an amendment, so what stops them from amending it again? Nigerians are angry, and the government should be worried about that anger. You should be concerned because if things get worse, you may not even be able to travel freely across the country. We are speaking out because we want to save this country. Under the APC, they don’t realise that their actions have made them unpopular with citizens, groups and political interests. They claim to control over 30 states, yet they are afraid of free and fair elections. If they have performed well, why are they so nervous? Why are they using government institutions to suppress opposition, silence free speech and jail people? A government that behaves like this is only exposing its weakness and insecurity. Nigerians are watching, and they will respond at the right time.

 

 

Who exactly are you referring to when you say people are being jailed?

You are aware of what is happening. In Kano, young people held massive protests, accusing security officials of acting politically and aligning with those in power. You also know that people like Nasir El-Rufai and Abubakar Malami are facing serious legal battles. Nigerians are asking questions. They want to know whether justice is truly being applied fairly or used as a political weapon. Many of those being targeted today are people who held powerful positions before. Nigerians are asking whether others who did similar or worse things are also being treated the same way.

 

 

So are you saying the government was wrong to prosecute Malami and El-Rufai?

I am not saying they should not be prosecuted. What I am saying is that justice must not be selective. Some people presided over public affairs and are accused of mismanaging or stealing huge sums of public money, yet nothing has happened to them. Nigerians see this and feel concerned. The law must apply equally to everyone, not just to selected individuals.

 

 

What, in your view, should the government have done correctly?

There should be a level playing ground for everyone, whether they belong to APC, PDP, ADC, NNPP or any other party. Whoever violates the law must face justice. But it must be done fairly and transparently. Justice should never be influenced by political affiliation or personal interest.

 

 

Why do you insist the prosecution is selective?

Nigerians can see it clearly. Young people have been arrested simply for expressing their opinions. Some are tried under questionable circumstances and jailed. These things may appear small at first, but they can grow into serious national problems. Nigerians should not be taken for granted. In 2015, Nigerians removed a sitting government because they were dissatisfied. If Nigerians could do that before, they can do it again. No government should assume it is untouchable.

 

 

Is the opposition saying this government has performed badly, or is this just politics ahead of elections?

This government has deliberately destroyed agriculture. Farmers, who make up a large percentage of the population, have been abandoned. Fertiliser is now extremely expensive. Insecurity has driven farmers away from their farms. Massive food imports have undermined local production. I recently travelled to the North and saw the situation myself. Dry season farming is disappearing. Rice mills established to support local production will collapse because there will be no raw materials. When farmers lose their livelihoods, they cannot feed themselves or the nation. This creates poverty and insecurity. Government policies should empower farmers, not destroy them.

 

 

But you were once part of the APC yourself.

Yes, I was one of the founding members. My signature was among those that formed the APC. I know the party very well.

 

 

Should Nigerians blame you, too, for what is happening?

Blame me for what? I left and warned Nigerians about the direction the party was heading. I spoke out early. I have no sympathy for those who ignored those warnings. Nigerians must learn from their choices. The current National Assembly is the worst in our history. They do not perform oversight. They approve whatever the executive sends them without question. They have failed in their responsibility to Nigerians.

 

 

Are you saying this because of the approaching 2027 elections?

What do I stand to gain personally? If the APC performs well, I will acknowledge it. But if they fail, I will say so. My concern is Nigeria, not personal gain.

 

 

But as a member of the opposition, don’t you benefit politically from APC’s failures?

I am not seeking any political office. I am not contesting for anything. My concern is the future of this country. Nigeria belongs to all of us.

 

 

Why do you believe this government has done nothing good?

They are afraid of transparent elections and electronic transmission of results. They promised since 2015 to improve technology for credible elections, yet nothing has changed. Instead, they introduced policies like direct and consensus primaries, which weaken opposition parties. Direct primaries in Nigeria often lead to violence and manipulation. I experienced it myself when we conducted primaries. People were killed, injured and taken to court. Now I am facing financial penalties because of that process. These systems favour those in power and undermine democracy. They are afraid because they know Nigerians are dissatisfied.

 

 

Are you saying APC cannot win in 2027?

Nigerians will decide. But with the level of hardship and anger in the country, the APC should be worried. Nigerians are suffering.

 

 

What is your reaction to APC’s victory in the FCT elections?

There were serious concerns about that election. The declaration of curfew created fear. Elections should not be conducted under such suspicious conditions. Nigerians deserve transparency.

 

 

Do you agree with the APC spokesman’s defence of the government?

He does not understand the reality Nigerians face. He lives in comfort while ordinary Nigerians suffer. Agriculture has been destroyed. Rice mills have collapsed. Farmers have been abandoned. Government should support production, not destroy it.

 

 

How exactly has the government destroyed agriculture?

Through massive importation and a lack of support. Farmers receive no meaningful assistance. Fertiliser is expensive. Insecurity persists. Rice mills have shut down. These are facts. The government cannot deny them.

 

 

Do you agree that the economy is improving as the government claims?

The facts say otherwise. When this government took over, the naira was about ₦470 to a dollar. Today it is around ₦1500. Fuel prices have skyrocketed. The cost of living has become unbearable. Nigerians are poorer today than before. That is the reality. If you want, I can now package this into a full front-page newspaper interview with professional layout, pull-quotes and editorial polish.