A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has delivered a stern warning to the ruling APC, saying Nigerians may once again use the ballot to express their frustration if economic hardship and insecurity continue unchecked.
Speaking amid rising political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, he argued that public patience is wearing thin.
Galadima made the remarks during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television.
During the interview, he rejected claims by the APC-led administration that living standards are improving, insisting that many Nigerians are grappling with worsening realities.
According to him, the political atmosphere increasingly reflects intolerance for opposing voices.
He cited incidents in Kano where young individuals who aired their opinions on radio programmes were allegedly arrested and detained.
Galadima described the development as troubling, warning that suppressing dissent could provoke deeper resentment.
He cautioned the APC not to underestimate the mood of the electorate. In his view, public anger often builds quietly before erupting at the polls.
Drawing historical comparisons, he referenced the 2015 presidential election, when voters removed then-President Goodluck Jonathan amid mounting concerns over insecurity in the North-East.
Galadima argued that the security and economic challenges currently confronting the country surpass those experienced during that period.
He maintained that if Nigerians could unseat an incumbent government in 2015 over insecurity, they might take even more decisive action if current conditions persist.
The APC, he suggested, should reflect carefully on that precedent rather than dismissing criticism.
Beyond security concerns, Galadima devoted significant attention to agriculture, a sector he described as the backbone of rural livelihoods.
He accused the APC administration of implementing policies that have weakened local farming through high input costs and what he called excessive grain importation.
He particularly pointed to the soaring cost of fertiliser, which he said now ranges between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000 per bag, placing it beyond the reach of many small-scale farmers.
He argued that farmers constitute a substantial majority of Nigeria’s population and warned that alienating them could have grave political and economic consequences.
In his assessment, rising production costs and reduced incentives have discouraged farming activities, especially in rural communities.
Recounting a recent visit to Maiduguri, Galadima claimed that dry-season farming activities appeared significantly reduced.
He challenged the government to commission independent assessments to verify the true state of agricultural production nationwide.
Without urgent intervention, he warned, the country could face food shortages that would further intensify hardship.
The NNPP stalwart also expressed concern about the fate of rice mills reportedly established during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
According to him, if domestic production declines due to poor policy direction, those investments could collapse, undermining years of effort aimed at boosting local capacity.
While government officials have consistently defended ongoing reforms as necessary for long-term stability, Galadima insisted that ordinary citizens are more concerned about immediate survival.
He maintained that promises of gradual improvement may not suffice if inflation, unemployment, and insecurity remain pressing realities.
Political observers note that the coming months could witness sharper exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures as preparations gradually begin for 2027.
The APC has repeatedly assured Nigerians that its economic reforms will yield tangible benefits, but critics argue that patience is running out.
Galadima concluded by urging leaders to pay closer attention to public sentiment.
Democracies, he said, thrive when governments remain responsive to citizens’ concerns rather than dismissing them.
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