Buhari’s Statement On Divine Intervention Exposes APC’s Governance Failures – Critics Claim

Major opposition parties have criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari for urging Nigerians to turn to divine intervention to resolve the nation’s challenges, instead of addressing the failures of successive All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administrations.

Buhari’s statement, made in Hausa during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Katsina on Saturday, has triggered widespread reactions, especially on social media. The former president remarked, “Only God who created Nigeria can solve the problems of Nigeria,” encouraging supporters to remain hopeful.

The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, told Punch that Buhari’s comments clearly highlighted the APC government’s inability to tackle the country’s pressing issues.

“It’s an admission that the APC government has completely failed Nigerians, plunging us into an economic crisis. This statement from the former president reflects the current administration’s confusion and lack of direction. They have no clear strategy, operating instead on trial-and-error. What Nigeria needs is competent leadership, and it’s evident the APC cannot deliver that,” Johnson said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shared a similar sentiment.

In a phone interview with Punch, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, described Buhari’s statement as an indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Nigerians should commend Buhari for being honest about the state of the nation. However, he failed to acknowledge that he laid the foundation for this government’s inefficiency. His remarks are a vote of no confidence in President Tinubu, proving what we’ve always said: he’s giving speeches without action. This is a wake-up call for all Nigerians to salvage this country from descending further,” Osadolor stated.

Labour Party’s National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, expressed little surprise at Buhari’s remarks, stating that it was evident from the beginning that he lacked the capacity to govern effectively. Ahanotu emphasized the need for younger leaders to steer Nigeria toward progress.

“I never expected Buhari to perform well, and I’m not surprised he achieved nothing in eight years. Unfortunately, this is a recurring cycle in Nigeria—each new administration brings hope but ends in lamentation. Until we give the younger generation a chance, Nigeria will continue to miss out on true democratic dividends,” Ahanotu said.

He further criticized the APC for its disregard for dissenting opinions, saying, “Buhari ignored Obasanjo’s advice during his tenure, and Tinubu is likely to do the same. The APC has a history of dismissing perspectives from outside their circle, which is why Buhari’s lamentation is inconsequential to me. It’s a pattern in their system.”

Opposition parties called for a collective effort to address the nation’s challenges, urging Nigerians to rise above partisanship and work toward rebuilding the country.