APC Not Plotting One-Party State for 2027, Says Sunday Dare

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has firmly rejected allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to edge out opposition parties and dominate the ballot in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television and monitored by News Point Nigeria, Dare stated unequivocally that there is no plan, whether covert or overt, to restrict political competition or turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

“There is no design whether covertly or overtly to have just the APC on the ballot. We have 21 parties registered to compete on the ballot; every party has the right to field a candidate. Now the APC will not roll out the carpet and close shop because other parties are struggling,” Dare said.

His remarks come amid growing political tension following accusations by opposition figures, particularly Bolaji Abdullahi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who alleged that the APC was deliberately instigating internal crises within opposition parties to weaken them ahead of the next general elections.

Abdullahi, who also appeared on the same programme a day earlier, accused President Tinubu and the APC of attempting to steer the country toward a one-party state. He further claimed that the president’s alleged unpopularity had created panic within the ruling party, citing what he described as internal polls.

He vowed that the ADC would resist any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

But in a swift rebuttal, Dare dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that the APC is not responsible for the challenges confronting opposition parties. He pointed to the continued operation of multiple political parties and their freedom to engage electoral institutions as evidence that Nigeria’s democratic space remains intact.

“The fact that the ADC can go to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protest shows that there is freedom and democracy is alive,” he stated.

Dare emphasized that neither President Tinubu nor the APC is intimidated by opposition activities, stressing that governance remains the administration’s primary focus while party affairs are handled separately.

According to him, the internal crises rocking opposition parties, particularly the ADC, are largely self-inflicted and a result of poor internal management rather than external interference.

“What you are seeing here is self-inflicted. You decide to come in through the backdoor, you decide to ignore the fact that there are petitions and court cases,” Dare said.

“You decide to think that because you are in the opposition and you can shout very loud… what has happened to the ADC in the last several months is a locus classicus of how not to run an opposition, how not to hijack a political party, and how not to run a party,” he added.

The presidential aide further advised the ADC and other opposition parties to seek legal redress if they believe their rights have been violated, rather than making unsubstantiated allegations against the ruling party.

He stressed that Nigeria’s democratic framework guarantees equal participation for all registered political parties and that the APC has no intention of undermining that structure.

Dare’s comments come at a time when political realignments and internal disputes have begun to shape the early landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties grappling with leadership tussles and strategic positioning.

Observers note that while such tensions are not unusual in the build-up to major elections, the accusations and counter-accusations highlight the deepening rivalry between the ruling party and its challengers.

Despite the heated exchanges, Dare maintained that the APC remains confident and focused, urging political actors to strengthen their internal processes and engage constructively within the bounds of the law.

As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 polls, the debate over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the level of political competition is expected to intensify, with both the ruling party and opposition groups seeking to shape public perception and consolidate support.