APC dismisses ADC criticism over Tinubu’s ‘democracy is a game’ remark

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed criticism by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent comment describing democracy as a “game,” stating that the opposition party deliberately misinterpreted the remark.

In a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC said the president’s comment was a metaphor highlighting the competitive nature of democratic politics rather than a dismissal of democratic values, as alleged by the ADC.

According to the party, democracy globally operates through established rules, strategy, participation, and healthy political competition, adding that the president’s statement underscored the need for political actors to organize and compete within democratic frameworks.

The APC accused the ADC of resorting to sensationalism instead of engaging in constructive political discourse, describing the opposition’s reaction as a distortion aimed at gaining public attention.

The party further criticized what it called attempts by some ADC leaders to create political relevance through social media appearances and staged public interactions, arguing that such actions do not amount to credible leadership or genuine grassroots engagement.

It maintained that Nigerians are politically aware and capable of distinguishing between substantive political engagement and what it described as theatrics intended to attract online attention.

Defending the president’s democratic credentials, the Lagos APC said Tinubu has played a significant role in Nigeria’s democratic development and remains a longstanding advocate of political pluralism and institutional growth.

The party described it as ironic that a political party with limited electoral influence would criticize a leader whose political career has contributed to shaping Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

The APC urged the ADC to focus on strengthening its political structures and presenting viable alternatives to voters rather than generating controversy.

Reaffirming its position, the Lagos APC said it remains committed to democratic competition, the rule of law, and respect for the will of the people, which it said continue to guide the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The statement reads: “Indeed, we must commend the leadership of the ADC for their occasional comic relief, as they continue to maintain their unenviable status as one of the jokes of our democratic process.

“Nigerians watch with amusement the creative theatrics of some of their leaders who, in their desperate bid to manufacture relevance, spend time in the social media space staging photo opportunities-pricing groundnuts by the roadside or buying roasted corn-in a contrived attempt to appear connected to the masses.”