Presidency Dismisses Interference Claims, Insists Opposition Parties’ Crises are Self-inflicted

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

The Presidency has dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is destabilising opposition parties, insisting that ongoing crises within rival camps are the result of internal divisions and lack of cohesion.

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala stated this during an interactive session on ChannelsTV programme, “Politics Today” monitored by Persecondnews on Thursday evening.

He said the government is only responding to public political narratives and not interfering in opposition affairs as insinuated in some quarters.

“I don’t think it is right to say the APC is interested in what is happening in the opposition. What we are doing is simple rebuttal whenever claims are made.

“What is happening in the opposition is unfortunate. Despite opportunities available to them, they have not been able to organise themselves,” he said.

Bwala described the opposition as fragmented and driven by competing interests, arguing that this has weakened its ability to function as a unified force.

“The opposition is largely made up of internally displaced politicians. Some are driven by desperation for power, others are aggrieved over lost opportunities.

“There are also those who are simply political desperadoes. And desperate people, as we know, often do desperate things. That is why you see the instability across their camps,” Persecondnews quotes him as saying.

The presidential aide also criticised what he called frequent party switching among opposition figures, saying it reflects a lack of ideological consistency.

“You can see them moving from one political platform to another like table tennis. Today they are in one party, tomorrow they are in another. It makes it difficult to take them seriously as a united force.”

Specifically addressing former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, he described him as a roving politician who has moved across political platforms without building any long-term stability.

“Peter Obi is a nomadic politician who moves from party to party without stability or consistent political structure. There is no sustained man management system or enduring party base that shows long term cohesion,” he said.

He further argued that such political behaviour weakens opposition credibility ahead of elections.

“A credible opposition should show stability and direction, but that is missing. Instead, what we see is constant movement and realignment without ideological grounding,” he added.

The Presidency maintained that the APC remains focused on governance and delivery of its mandate, while urging opposition parties to resolve their internal challenges and present a stronger alternative ahead of future elections.