Buhari: a loss for APC and ADC

The disappearance of the former president Muhammadu Buhari not only marks the end of an era, but also a significant political loss for two of the three main political parties in Nigeria, the sentence of all progressives (APC) and the growing coalition force, the African democratic congress (ADC).

For both sides, Bohari represented more than a simple head of state; It was a political symbol with immense influence. His simple presence in a manifestation of the campaign, no matter how short he would have brought an immense weight, in particular between his faithful base, estimated at over 12 million strong. These supporters, often described as a sequel to “cult”, have remained fiercely engaged with him since his first political days under the Congress for progressive change (CPC) and the Buhari organization. However, the number may have been reduced by now!

In recent times, many former CPC loyalists and political agents of the Buhari era seem to have found a new home in the Adc, remodeling its structure and giving it a dose of national importance. This silent but strategic realignment has positioned the ADC as a potential beneficiary of some of the political legacy of Buhari, especially in northern Nigeria, where its influence remains deeply rooted. However, a good number of CPC blocking and the Buhari organization remained in the APC.

If Buhari had also lived to make a symbolic apparition in an event of the APC campaign, it would have significantly dampened the impetus of the ADC and strengthened the APC claim on its lasting political capital. On the contrary, if he had chosen to lend his image, even in silence to the ADC, he would have sent shock waves through the APC, raising questions about his grip on his base.

Now, with its disappearance, both parties are left in the competitive void, each of which climbs to appeal to the millions that venerated Boari for its perceived integrity, simple lifestyle and northern populist appeal. The political battlefield is wide open and neither APC nor the ADC can safely affirm the legitimate heir of Buhari’s inheritance.

However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have earned an initial advantage. Its respectful and dignified management of the death of Buhari, marked with rapid tributes, state honors and symbolic gestures; It can resonate with many of the followers of Bohari. In Nigerian politics, these symbolic acts are never under esteem. They report alignment, loyalty and shared values, which profoundly count with a basis that is emotional, ideological and still looking for a new political anchoring.

With the approach of the electoral cycle of 2027, the real question becomes: who will inherit the Buhari political machinery? The answer can model the future of both the APC and the ADC and, by extension, the political panorama of Nigeria.

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        Introduction  A free, independent, and vibrant press is one of the strongest pillars of any democratic society. It is against this background that most democratic countries  make constitutional provisions for a free press . Others even go further to enact specific laws to make affairs of governments freely available to the public. Currently, there are more than  130 countries in the world that have free press laws. They include Sweden, United States, France, South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria did not only make  constitutional provisions in Sections 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) but also went ahead to enact the Freedom of Information Act  in 2011. Section 22 of the 1999  Constitution states: “ “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media  shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter( ie Chapter II) and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people”  Section 39(1)  of same Constitution states : “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference” ..  To complement these constitutional provisions, Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation, the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is established.” while Section  2(2), states that: “A public institution shall ensure the proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody in a manner that facilitates public access to such information”  Primary Purpose of FOIA  According to the Act, its primary purpose is to make information about public records freely available to every Nigerian in the public interest. …

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