Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not remain in power indefinitely, stressing that Nigeria’s political system still allows for genuine competition.
El-Rufai made the remark while speaking at the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue themed “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What Is Working and What Is Not.” He delivered his address virtually from Brussels, Belgium, where he is recovering from an illness, and apologized for his inability to attend the event in Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria’s democratic experience stands out on the African continent because no single political party permanently controls power.
“Nigeria does not have a permanent ruling party, and that is an achievement,” El-Rufai said.
He recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed the country for 16 years before losing power in 2015, adding that the APC would also not rule forever.
“The PDP governed for 16 years. The APC will not govern forever. It is likely that in 2027, the APC will be gone,” he stated.
El-Rufai noted that this development shows political power in Nigeria remains open to competition, unlike in some African countries where dominant party systems prevail.
“Power therefore remains contestable. This distinguishes Nigeria from dominant party systems elsewhere on the continent,” he said.
However, the former governor observed that political competition in Nigeria has yet to translate into effective governance and accountability.
“Competition has not yet matured into accountability and good governance,” he added.
He also criticized the structure of political parties in the country, describing them as weak, personality-driven, and largely transactional rather than ideological.
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