Democracy day protests signal APC facing rejection — Dagogo

A former member of the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo, has described the various ongoing protests across Nigeria as a clear expression of public dissatisfaction with the All Progressives Congress-led government.

In a statement to mark Democracy Day, Dagogo, who represented the Degema/Bonny federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said the demonstrations reflect the growing frustration of Nigerians over worsening economic conditions, insecurity, and what he described as years of unfulfilled promises by the ruling party.

The statement was issued in Port Harcourt on Friday night, signed by his media aide, Ibrahim Lawal.

Dagogo, who is laying claim to being the Rivers State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, said that while Nigerians have endured significant hardship over the past 11 years under APC leadership, the last three years have represented a critical tipping point for many citizens struggling with rising living costs and declining standards of living.

The former federal lawmaker urged the APC-led government to use the remaining of its tenure to address the challenges confronting the country and implement measures that would alleviate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

The statement read, “The widespread protests being witnessed across major cities and communities in the country are not isolated incidents; they are a reflection of the deep frustration, hunger, and hopelessness that many Nigerians are experiencing today.

“As we commemorate another Democracy Day, the prevailing mood across the nation is one of anxiety, despair, and uncertainty. For many citizens, the realities of economic hardship, rising insecurity, and the loss of livelihoods have overshadowed the ideals and promises that democracy represents.”

Dagogo noted that Nigerians have borne the consequences of several government policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies, soaring inflation, and persistent security challenges, adding that the relief and economic recovery promised by the government have yet to materialise for many citizens.

“Rather than continuing to offer assurances that conditions will improve in the future, the government should focus on taking concrete and immediate steps to ease the burden on Nigerians and restore public confidence,” he said.

He further expressed confidence that the APC would relinquish power at the end of its tenure on May 29, 2027, and maintained that Nigerians were increasingly embracing the African Democratic Congress as a credible alternative for national leadership.

“While it is constitutionally certain that the APC’s tenure will come to an end in 2027, there is growing optimism among Nigerians that a new political direction is possible.

“We are encouraged by the increasing support for the African Democratic Congress and remain committed to working towards a Nigeria that delivers prosperity, security, justice, and opportunity for all its citizens,” he added.

Dagogo urged political leaders at all levels to learn from the shortcomings of the APC by prioritising national unity, good governance, and policies that directly improve the welfare of Nigerians.