A broadcast journalist and politician, Olalekan Shoyinka, has criticised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what he described as “selective outrage” following controversies that trailed the party’s recent chairmanship primaries in Lagos State.
Shoyinka, in a strongly worded statement, said the uproar over alleged irregularities in the APC’s internal election process reflects a broader culture of political hypocrisy and inconsistent commitment to democratic principles.
Soyinka said “what we are witnessing is not just an internal party dispute—it is a reflection of a deeper problem in our political culture.”.
He faulted APC loyalists who now cry foul over electoral malpractice during party primaries despite defending or ignoring similar acts during past general elections.
According to him, such selective indignation not only weakens the credibility of the party but also undermines the struggle for true democratic governance in Nigeria.
“It is both hypocritical and intellectually dishonest for APC loyalists to suddenly take issue with electoral fraud during their primaries when many of them had justified or celebrated the same during national polls,” Shoyinka said.
He stressed that the pursuit of democratic integrity must begin within political parties, urging stakeholders to uphold transparency and consistency regardless of political advantage.
“We cannot celebrate flawed processes when they favour us and denounce them when they don’t. Integrity must begin from within,” he added.
Lamenting what he described as blind party loyalty at the expense of national interest, Shoyinka called for a more principled approach to politics, one that places country above partisan considerations.
“True patriotism lies in holding all institutions—including one’s own political party—accountable. The fight for electoral transparency must be constant, not seasonal or conditional,” he said.
He stated “only your loyalty to Nigeria is patriotism—not the one you have for your party.”
The APC has faced mounting criticism from within and outside its ranks over how the Lagos primaries were conducted, with reports of candidate imposition and manipulated delegate lists sparking protests across several local government areas.
Party officials have yet to issue a formal response to the growing backlash, but analysts warn that the internal wrangling may affect party cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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