2027: APC doesn’t want opposition candidates to campaign anywhere - Galadima
Buba Galadima, a prominent member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of imposing barriers on opposition candidates as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.
During a Tuesday appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Galadima claimed that opposition politicians face significant challenges in freely campaigning throughout Nigeria. He stated that some candidates experience violence during visits to certain regions.
“There are blocks put in the path of the opposition. The APC and its government do not want any opposition person to campaign in any part of the country, as they are stoned wherever they go. They also want to make life impossible for those opposite them,” Galadima said.
He questioned the democratic nature of the current political climate, arguing that true democracy should ensure political freedoms, including the right to campaign and express oneself without hindrance.
“Why should we call it democracy? We can just as well call it fascism, or dictatorship, or monarchy. They can’t claim to be democrats while disregarding the principles of free choice, free speech, and free movement, as outlined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Galadima also criticized Nigeria’s citizens for allowing these political restrictions to persist. “All this they are doing is because we citizens have allowed them to do so,” he remarked.
In addition, Galadima raised concerns about compliance with campaign spending limits, highlighting the high costs associated with political advertising and billboards nationwide. The Electoral Act establishes a campaign spending cap of 10 billion naira for political parties; however, he noted that the expense of erecting billboards poses a significant challenge.
“Do you know how much they are asking for one billboard in Abuja? In Imo, it is 1 billion naira. Just to fix one billboard, you pay 1 billion naira,” he stated, pointing out that the costs could easily surpass the legal spending limits.
“If you have to pay 1 billion naira for every state and you pay that in 37 states, which totals 37 billion naira, do you run afoul of the Act or not? So, why can’t somebody say anything?” he questioned.
