Assessing APC’s 10 Years Rule in Nigeria

By Olayinka Olatunbosun, Ph.D

In 2015, the All Progressives Congress (APC) rose to power in Nigeria on the wings of change, hope, and a widespread desire for a break from the 16-year reign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). With General Muhammadu Buhari as its flagbearer, APC promised Nigerians a bold new beginning—anchored on fighting corruption, ensuring security, and revitalizing the economy. Now, ten years into APC’s rule, it is imperative to objectively assess its performance across these critical sectors and beyond.

Security was a top campaign promise of the APC. The Buhari-led administration initially gained some ground against Boko Haram, pushing insurgents out of many strongholds in the Northeast. However, over the years, security challenges in Nigeria have expanded, becoming more complex and widespread.

Banditry in the Northwest, farmer-herder clashes in the North Central, IPOB-related unrest in the Southeast, and kidnappings-for-ransom across the country have left many questioning the efficacy of the government’s security strategies. While the Tinubu administration has continued military operations and invested in security infrastructure, the perception remains that insecurity has worsened in both scope and sophistication.

The Nigerian economy under APC has been marked by turbulence. It entered recession twice (in 2016 and 2020), primarily due to a slump in oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic. While the administration claims to have implemented various recovery plans, including the Economic Sustainability Plan and investment in agriculture, the economy continues to grapple with high inflation, rising debt, a volatile exchange rate, and widespread unemployment.

Under President Tinubu, the bold removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates were hailed as necessary reforms but have significantly increased the cost of living, affecting the poorest Nigerians most. These policies, while theoretically sound in the long term, have lacked sufficient cushioning measures to ease immediate pains.

The APC campaigned vigorously on an anti-corruption platform, promising to rid the nation of endemic graft. Indeed, the Buhari years saw some high-profile arrests and convictions. However, many critics argue that the anti-corruption drive was selective, politically motivated, and lacked institutional depth.

Furthermore, corruption scandals within the APC government—such as those involving the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and others—have cast a shadow on the administration’s credibility. President Tinubu’s government has promised to continue the anti-corruption war, but confidence in its impartiality remains low.

One of APC’s most lauded achievements lies in infrastructure. The administration invested in road construction, railway revitalization, airport modernization, and the Second Niger Bridge, among others. The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) facilitated some key national projects.

However, critics argue that while progress was made, execution was slow, and many projects remain incomplete or underutilized due to poor planning, lack of maintenance culture, or limited funding.

The APC has come under fire for eroding democratic values and shrinking civic space. The clampdown on protests (e.g., #EndSARS), the suspension of Twitter in 2021, and increasing media censorship have raised alarms about democratic backsliding.

Electoral reforms have been inconsistent. While some gains were made—such as the introduction of electronic transmission of results—the credibility of elections has been questioned due to reports of vote-buying, voter suppression, and INEC’s alleged inefficiencies.

Under APC, social investment programmes such as N-Power, TraderMoni, and the School Feeding Programme were introduced to alleviate poverty and empower the youth. Though commendable in intent, these programs have suffered from poor implementation, allegations of corruption, and lack of sustainability.

Education and healthcare remain underfunded, with recurring strikes by academic and medical unions reflecting deep-seated systemic issues.

Ten years into its governance, the APC’s record is a mix of progress and regression. While it has made strides in infrastructure and initiated reforms with potential long-term impact, it has largely struggled with issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and public trust.

The legacy of APC’s decade-long rule will largely depend on how the Tinubu administration addresses lingering socio-economic challenges, rebuilds public institutions, and rekindles national unity. Nigerians are watching, hopeful yet cautious, as the nation stands at another historical crossroads.

Dr. Olatunbosun was the Labour Party candidate in Ife East Local Government for the Osun State House of Assemby election in 2023.