Baba-Ahmed: APC’s Strength Lies in Power Not Popular Roots

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A former Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Affairs, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a party sustained largely by political power holders rather than deep-rooted public support.

Baba-Ahmed made the comments on Tuesday during an appearance on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television.

He rejected the argument that the APC’s control of a large number of states equates to broad national acceptance, cautioning against confusing political dominance with genuine grassroots backing.

“I think differently from that assumption. Many people believe that because the APC controls most of the states, it automatically controls the country. That is not necessarily true,” he said.

According to Baba-Ahmed, the party’s expansion has been driven mainly by defections from other political platforms rather than organic growth among the electorate.

“Governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives have largely moved into the APC from their former parties,” he noted.

Despite its current dominance, Baba-Ahmed argued that the APC remains disconnected from everyday Nigerians, raising concerns about the true source of its political influence.

“The APC is the dominant party in the country today, yet it is far removed from the people. One has to ask what really explains this phenomenon,” he said.

He pointed out that the ruling party presently controls over 20 states across the federation.

Concluding his remarks, Baba-Ahmed drew a clear line between holding political office and enjoying popular legitimacy, stating that the APC’s structure primarily serves incumbents rather than citizens.

“The APC is essentially a party of office holders, not necessarily a party of the people. There is a clear difference between the two,” he said.