APC vows to field candidates if opposition boycotts poll

 The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to field candidates in every election if opposition parties decide to boycott the 2027 general polls. This firm stance emerged amid growing whispers  and outright threats  from some opposition figures about sitting out the vote over claims of bias by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and fears of a lopsided contest that could hand President Bola Tinubu an uncontested run.

You can feel the stakes rising already. Opposition voices, including factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and activists like Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, have been floating the idea of a boycott. Their grievances? Alleged deliberate moves to weaken rival platforms, court cases supposedly sponsored to create internal chaos in parties like the ADC, and a broader sense that the system is being tilted to ensure a one-party dominance. Some have painted a picture of INEC as compromised, suggesting the electoral umpire is paving the way for President Tinubu to face little to no real competition. It's dramatic language, no doubt, but in a country still nursing scars from past disputed polls, such fears don't emerge in a vacuum.

Enter the APC's response, delivered with characteristic confidence by its National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. He didn't mince words. "Which opposition?" he fired back, questioning the credibility of parties that, in his view, can't even manage their own internal affairs properly under democratic norms. Basiru dismissed the allegations against INEC as baseless and mischievous, arguing they stem more from a lack of readiness and seriousness than from any genuine systemic threat. Boycotting, he suggested, is a legitimate democratic choice  but it's also an admission of unpreparedness. And if the opposition chooses that path? The APC will simply step up, field its candidates across all levels, and let the process unfold. No vacuum left unfilled. No default victory by absence.

This isn't just chest-thumping. It touches on a deeper fear circulating in political circles: the possibility of Nigeria sliding toward a de facto one-party state if major opposition forces pull out. Earlier this year, Channels TV host Seun Okinbaloye sparked heated debate when he warned about exactly that scenario on his Politics Today program  pointing to the leadership crisis rocking the ADC as a sign that viable alternatives could crumble, leaving voters with limited meaningful choices. That commentary drew a fiery reaction from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, but the underlying concern lingers. Democracy thrives on competition. When that competition fades, whether through boycott, internal collapse, or legal hurdles, the ballot risks becoming more coronation than contest. And that's where the APC's vow lands with force  essentially saying, "We'll be there regardless."

Yet, one can't help pausing to reflect on the bigger picture. Opposition parties aren't making these threats lightly. They've pointed to ongoing court battles, delays in electoral law amendments, and what they see as strategic weakening of platforms that could unite against the ruling party. The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has similarly warned of potential boycott if certain provisions in the Electoral Act aren't fixed. Groups like the National Youth Alliance have accused the APC of actively undermining rivals ahead of 2027. In response, APC voices have urged opponents to focus on building strong structures rather than "gaslighting" institutions or crying foul prematurely. It's a classic back-and-forth: one side cries foul play, the other calls it sour grapes from parties not yet battle-ready.

What makes this exchange particularly charged is the timing. We're still over a year out from the polls, but the groundwork  alliances, defections, legal maneuvers, and public posturing  is already in full swing. President Tinubu's administration has been pushing reforms in areas like power sector debt clearance and economic stabilization, with recent moves like the N3.3 trillion intervention and reviews of media tariffs showing a focus on delivery. Supporters argue that results on the ground will speak louder than any boycott threat. Critics, however, worry that without robust opposition, accountability could slip, and voter apathy might deepen if the race feels predetermined.

Imagine the scenario playing out. If key opposition figures and parties actually follow through on a boycott, the APC would indeed field candidates unchallenged in many races. Elections would still hold, results would be declared, and governance would continue. But the legitimacy question would loom large  both domestically and internationally. Boycotts have happened before in Nigeria's history, often leaving a bitter taste and questions about the true will of the people. On the flip side, staying in the ring, even against perceived odds, forces debate, policy scrutiny, and the kind of competitive energy that sharpens everyone involved.

APC leaders have gone further in recent remarks, calling on opposition parties to accept whatever outcome emerges in 2027 and start preparing constructively for 2031 instead of endless litigation or disruption. It's a pragmatic nudge, but one that assumes the playing field is level enough for fair acceptance. Opposition voices counter that preparation includes demanding reforms now  clearer electoral laws, independent institutions, and space for genuine multiparty contestation.

This back-and-forth emphasizes something fundamental about Nigeria's democratic journey. Power isn't handed over easily, and those in opposition often feel the weight of incumbency advantages  access to resources, media reach, institutional influence. Yet accusations of bias must be backed by evidence, not just frustration. Similarly, a ruling party dismissing legitimate concerns as unserious risks breeding cynicism. The healthy path? Address the grievances head-on through dialogue, legislative fixes where needed, and transparent processes that rebuild trust in INEC and the system as a whole.

As things stand, the APC's clear message we will field candidates no matter what  signals confidence in its organizational strength and perhaps in the appeal of its incumbency record. For ordinary Nigerians watching from the sidelines, the real question isn't just who shows up on the ballot. It's whether the eventual contest delivers leaders focused on tackling insecurity, reviving the economy, fixing power supply, and improving living standards. A boycott might deny voters choices, but a hollow contest without real alternatives achieves much the same.

The coming months will test these positions. Will opposition parties unify, resolve internal crises like the ADC's leadership tussle, and mount a credible challenge? Or will frustration lead to withdrawal, handing the APC a smoother path? Either way, Basiru's vow sets a tone: the ruling party isn't waiting or worrying  it's preparing to compete, or to fill the gap if others step aside.

In the end, democracy isn't defined solely by participation but by the quality and fairness of that participation. Nigerians deserve elections that feel competitive, credible, and consequential. Whether through full engagement or strategic absence, the opposition's choices  and the APC's readiness to step forward  will shape the narrative long before any vote is cast. Here's hoping the discourse evolves from threats and counter-vows into concrete steps that strengthen the process for everyone. After all, a vibrant opposition keeps everyone honest, and a confident ruling party should welcome the test rather than fear the vacuum.