Dr. Usman Muhammad Bugaje, a former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Nigeria’s ex-Vice President and a former member of the House of Representatives, revealed tactics allegedly employed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition.
In a recent interview on Arise TV, Bugaje claims that the APC is using financial incentives to lure senior members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to defect.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that Bugaje expressed grave concerns about the state of Nigerian democracy, stating, “As far as I know, although I do not claim to know everything, the APC is using money to buy PDP members.” He highlighted that this approach not only undermines democratic principles but also poses a significant threat to the integrity of the political system in Nigeria.
The former lawmaker further elaborated on the tactics used by the APC, noting that threats are sometimes employed against opposition members, particularly those facing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “If someone has a problem with EFCC, they start threatening him,” Bugaje said, indicating a troubling trend in political maneuvering that has persisted since the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Bugaje also criticized the PDP’s recent decline, linking it to the actions of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He stated that Wike’s controversial decisions have severely damaged the party’s standing as a formidable opposition force. “Since the Abuja minister, Wike, did what he did, the PDP has lost its chance to be a major opposition party,” Bugaje remarked, pointing to the party’s failure to effectively engage in critical national issues.
In light of these developments, Bugaje warned that if financial power continues to dictate political outcomes, Nigeria risks descending into a state reminiscent of Peru under Alberto Fujimori. He emphasized that true democracy cannot thrive where money is the primary influence in politics, urging for a reevaluation of the current political landscape.