By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is “not a party of saints”, it remains a better alternative to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Keyamo made the remarks amid renewed political sparring between the country’s two dominant parties, insisting that imperfections within the APC do not diminish what he described as its comparative advantage over the PDP.
“The APC is not a party of saints,” he said, “but it is better than the PDP.”
Defence of ruling party
The minister argued that governance should be assessed on performance and direction rather than the moral perfection of individuals within a political platform. According to him, the APC has demonstrated stronger commitment to reforms and national development than its main rival.
He maintained that criticisms levelled against the ruling party often overlook what he characterised as the PDP’s record during its 16 years in power at the federal level.
Political tensions between the two parties have intensified in recent months, with both sides trading accusations over economic management, internal democracy and anti-corruption efforts.
Opposition response
Leaders within the PDP have repeatedly accused the APC-led administration of deepening economic hardship and failing to deliver on key campaign promises. They argue that rising inflation, currency instability and insecurity point to systemic governance challenges under the ruling party.
However, Keyamo dismissed such claims as politically motivated, stating that ongoing reforms require time to yield measurable results.
Political landscape
The APC, which came to power in 2015, has positioned itself as a reform-driven alternative to the PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015. Since then, rivalry between the two parties has shaped much of the country’s political discourse.
Analysts say statements such as Keyamo’s reflect growing manoeuvring ahead of future electoral contests, as political actors seek to consolidate influence within their parties and across the broader electorate.
While acknowledging imperfections within the APC, Keyamo stressed that political parties are platforms of human beings, not moral institutions — and should be judged on governance outcomes rather than idealistic expectations.
As Nigeria navigates economic reforms and shifting political alliances, the debate between the APC and the PDP continues to define the country’s evolving democratic trajectory.
