Presidency denies blocking opposition parties from operating
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, has stated that there is no plan to limit Nigeria’s political space to only the All Progressives Congress. He addressed concerns raised by the African Democratic Congress over the suspension of its leadership factions by INEC. Dare insisted that opposition parties are free to operate and that the government is not responsible for their internal crises. He also highlighted the ability of opposition members to protest and the media’s freedom to criticise the President.
Key takeaways
- Sunday Dare clarified that there is no intention to have only the All Progressives Congress on the ballot in the 2027 general elections.
- He responded to the African Democratic Congress’s protest over INEC’s suspension of its leadership factions due to internal disputes.
- Dare maintained that the political space remains open, with 20 political parties currently operating in Nigeria.
- He stated that the APC is not responsible for the ADC’s crisis, describing it as self-inflicted.
- Dare emphasised that building a strong political party requires time, sacrifice, and commitment, and opposition parties should not blame others for their challenges.
