The National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, has identified vote buying as a major threat to Nigeria’s democracy, urging citizens to resist electoral inducement and make informed choices at the ballot box.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Dantalle warned that accepting money in exchange for votes undermines democratic accountability and weakens governance. While acknowledging the economic hardship facing many Nigerians, he urged voters not to mortgage their future for temporary financial gains. According to him, the electorate must prioritize competence and integrity when choosing leaders.
The APM chairman also assessed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing some of its reforms as necessary but noting that the expected benefits have yet to significantly improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians. He said the removal of fuel subsidy was intended to redirect resources toward infrastructure and national development but argued that many citizens are still grappling with severe economic hardship, inflation and declining purchasing power.
Dantalle linked rising insecurity and criminality to broader socio-economic challenges, citing poverty, unemployment and social dislocation as contributing factors. Drawing from sociological theories, he explained that systemic failures often push individuals toward criminal activities such as kidnapping and cybercrime. While commending ongoing road infrastructure projects across the country, he maintained that governance should ultimately be measured by its impact on the welfare of citizens.
The IPAC chairman further called for a comprehensive “reset” of Nigeria, emphasizing the need to rebuild institutions, strengthen the rule of law, promote patriotism and restore public confidence in governance. He criticized what he described as unequal treatment under the justice system, moral decline and the growing tendency among young Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad. According to him, national development requires a renewed commitment to accountability, inclusiveness and citizen participation.
During the programme’s interactive segment, callers raised concerns over insecurity, governance and political accountability. Responding to questions about the APM’s future plans, Dantalle reiterated his support for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, whom he described as a practical and people-oriented leader capable of replicating his achievements in Oyo State on a national scale. He said the party’s “Nigeria First” philosophy is centered on equality, inclusion and restoring citizens’ confidence in the political process.
Dantalle concluded that insecurity, economic hardship and social instability are products of years of neglect and exclusion. He stressed that meaningful progress can only be achieved when citizens feel a sense of ownership in the nation and are actively involved in shaping its future. He reaffirmed the commitment of the APM and its allies to a national reform agenda aimed at rebuilding trust, strengthening democratic institutions and fostering sustainable development ahead of future elections.
