Prominent Northern politician and former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Usman Bugaje, has strongly criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, describing its performance from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to the current leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “disaster.”
Speaking at a public lecture in Abuja on Friday, Bugaje lamented the state of governance in Nigeria, stating that the APC has failed to fulfill the promises it made to Nigerians since coming into power in 2015. He expressed concerns over the country’s economic downturn, increasing insecurity, and widespread corruption, which he believes have worsened under the APC administration.
A Legacy of Economic Hardship
Bugaje pointed out that the economic policies implemented by the APC government have led to significant hardships for Nigerians. He accused both Buhari and Tinubu’s administrations of mismanaging the economy, resulting in record-high inflation, a weakened national currency, and an unsustainable debt burden.
“Nigeria’s economy has suffered unprecedented setbacks under the APC. From the alarming rise in inflation to the continuous devaluation of the naira, this government has shown little capacity to address economic challenges,” Bugaje said.
He further criticized the handling of fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the government failed to put in place adequate measures to cushion the effect on ordinary citizens. According to him, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities due to rising costs of living, which he attributed to poor economic planning.
Insecurity and Governance Failures
Bugaje also decried the increasing level of insecurity across the country, blaming the APC government for its inability to effectively combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings. He argued that despite huge budget allocations for security, Nigeria remains one of the most unsafe countries in the world.
“It is disheartening that after eight years of Buhari’s administration and now under Tinubu, we are still grappling with insecurity. Bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers operate freely, while the government has failed to implement a clear security strategy,” he stated.
The former lawmaker also accused the APC of failing to unite the country, stating that issues of ethnic and religious division have worsened under its leadership. He called on Nigerians to demand better governance and accountability from those in power.
Corruption and Poor Leadership
Bugaje did not spare the APC government on the issue of corruption, claiming that despite promises to tackle the menace, corruption has continued to thrive at all levels of government.
“We were promised a fight against corruption, but what we have seen is an increase in corruption cases involving top government officials. The APC government has not been transparent in its dealings, and many allegations of financial misconduct have been swept under the carpet,” he said.
Bugaje also expressed disappointment in the quality of leadership within the ruling party, stating that most political officeholders under APC lack vision and competence. He called on Nigerians to be more politically conscious and to elect leaders who are truly committed to national development.
Call for Reforms
In his concluding remarks, Bugaje urged Nigerians to demand reforms in governance and to hold political leaders accountable for their actions. He emphasized that Nigeria cannot afford to continue on its current trajectory and that urgent measures must be taken to restore good governance.
“Our country deserves better leadership. We cannot continue to endure incompetence, corruption, and insecurity. Nigerians must wake up and demand accountability from those in power,” he said.
Bugaje’s comments have sparked reactions from political analysts and citizens, with many agreeing that the APC government has underperformed. However, some APC loyalists have defended the party’s record, arguing that the challenges Nigeria faces are complex and require time to resolve.
As the country prepares for future elections, the debate over APC’s governance record is expected to intensify, with opposition parties likely to use Bugaje’s remarks as a rallying point for change.
