The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has dismissed criticism by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent comment describing democracy as a “game,” insisting that the remark was clearly a metaphor reflecting the competitive nature of democratic politics.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said the opposition party deliberately misinterpreted the President’s comment, noting that democracy across the world operates through rules, strategy, participation and political competition.
Oladejo explained that referring to democracy as a game underscores the need for political actors to organise, mobilise supporters and compete within established democratic rules, rather than suggesting that the system should be trivialised.
He accused the ADC of choosing sensationalism and distortion instead of engaging in meaningful political discourse, adding that such an approach appears to have become the party’s most visible political strategy.
The APC spokesman also criticised some ADC leaders for what he described as staged social media activities aimed at projecting themselves as being close to ordinary Nigerians. According to him, such actions, including roadside photo opportunities such as buying roasted corn or pricing groundnuts, are attempts to manufacture political relevance.
Oladejo said while such performances might attract temporary online attention, they cannot replace credible leadership, genuine grassroots engagement or effective political organisation.
He further noted that Nigerians are politically discerning and cannot be deceived by what he described as poorly scripted political theatrics.
Defending the President’s democratic record, Oladejo said Tinubu remains one of the key figures in Nigeria’s democratic struggle and has consistently advocated political pluralism and institutional development.
He therefore described it as ironic that a party he said has little electoral relevance would attempt to lecture a statesman whose political career has significantly influenced Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
The Lagos APC urged the ADC to focus on building credible political structures and presenting meaningful alternatives to voters rather than “manufacturing controversy,” reaffirming the party’s commitment to democratic competition, the rule of law and respect for the will of the people.
