Ambassador Ibrahim Kassai, a former Nigerian envoy to Ukraine and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), shares his insights in this interview with ISAAC SHOBAYO. He discusses Nigeria’s current political landscape, the emerging opposition coalition targeting the APC, the wave of defections across parties, and other pressing national issues.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), how would you assess the current political landscape, particularly the emerging coalition against the ruling party?

Coalitions aren’t new in Nigeria. Over the years, we’ve seen several attempts to unite opposition forces against the party in power, but they rarely succeed. The formation of the APC, which unseated the PDP in 2015, remains the only truly successful example—mainly because of the calibre of people involved. These were individuals ready to invest their resources, build strategic alliances, and align Nigeria’s political evolution with its socio-economic realities. Many saw the 2015 victory as a miracle, but for those of us deeply rooted in politics, we knew the APC was destined to succeed.

Looking at the present, the country is undergoing tough economic reforms. The pain people feel has led many to label the policies as failures. But that’s a mistaken perception. It’s like taking a chloroquine injection for malaria—painful but necessary for a lasting cure. Temporary reliefs like Panadol may ease discomfort, but they won’t solve the underlying issue. The subsidy removal, if its proceeds are managed wisely, can significantly ease the people’s suffering. The next steps should focus on achieving stable electricity, reviving dormant industries, and producing more locally. Once factories begin operating again, the naira will regain strength, and Nigerians will start to feel the relief. I believe Asiwaju is laying the right foundation. We just need patience to see the results.

Some of those who left the APC to join the opposition coalition claim that President Tinubu hasn’t addressed the country’s core issues. What’s your view?

Which issues exactly? The major challenges today are hunger and insecurity. Add infrastructure to that, and yes, we still have problems—but some progress is being made. The Buhari administration kick-started infrastructure improvements and recorded significant gains in agriculture. While progress may seem slow, it is tangible. Our security agencies are also dealing with evolving threats from insurgents, which complicates things.

But we must be cautious not to allow political distractions cloud the reality. Asiwaju is making moves—even if slowly. This is not the time to judge purely through partisan lenses. If we must compare administrations, let’s do so with facts, not emotion.

One of Nigeria’s deep-rooted problems is the prolonged dominance of the military in our politics. As an ambassador, I was often asked abroad why a resource-rich country like ours still lags behind. My answer? Years of military interference created setbacks. Military men flooded the political space with their kind, delaying our democratic development. Today, we’re seeing less of that. Civility is beginning to take root. The ‘import-everything’ mentality we inherited from the military era wrecked our economy. It wasn’t just politicians—decades of poor habits left us vulnerable.

Take the case of Umaru Dikko in the Second Republic. He was vilified more for being outspoken and close to Shagari than for any proven wrongdoing. It shows how easily politicians are scapegoated without tackling the real issues.

Some founding members of the APC have joined the opposition coalition. What’s your take, and how might this affect your party?

Politics is about ambition and power-sharing. When people feel sidelined, they may leave. It’s not always out of selfishness—sometimes it’s frustration. We’re all human, and political realignments are part of the game. That’s why there’s a saying: in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies.

Many of those leaving had meaningful roles in building the APC, and they were rewarded accordingly. But no one person owns a party—it belongs to all Nigerians. A political party is like a company, where shareholders benefit from success. If one person tries to take control, things fall apart. I hope those who left will return soon. Frankly, I don’t see them making much impact. The ADC, their chosen platform, has no traction. They are wasting their energy. This coalition against Tinubu is destined to fail.

Defections have become commonplace in Nigerian politics. Does ideology no longer matter?

Unfortunately, yes. In Nigeria—and Africa at large—ideology is hard to define. Everyone claims to represent the common man. Our problems are basic: clean water, good roads, healthcare, education. These are not ideological issues; they’re survival needs. That’s why most parties seem similar in their priorities.

In developed countries, politicians debate abstract policies. Here, we’re still battling foundational development. Until we fix that, ideology will remain a vague concept. What our people want is action—schools, hospitals, job creation. Until those needs are met, no one will care about political philosophies.

But why does it seem that northern Nigeria is more vocal in its opposition to this administration?

Religion plays a big role in Northern politics. The Muslim-Muslim ticket stirred concerns within the APC itself. But the President clarified his intentions—no one was being marginalized. Some doubted him, but Asiwaju has proven otherwise. He’s remained inclusive, serving all Nigerians fairly.

Still, some discontent lingers, especially regarding appointments. There’s a perception that the South is more favored. Insecurity remains another challenge, driven by terrorism. Terrorists adapt constantly, so our security forces must evolve too. It’s an ongoing battle, and solutions aren’t easy.

As for appointments, every President hires those they trust—it’s a global norm. People will always complain, but adjustments are made over time.

Given these challenges and the defections, do you believe the APC can still win in 2027?

Absolutely. History tells us that coalitions have tried and failed many times. Aside from 2015, they rarely succeed. APC remains strong. The party can weather defections and emerge even stronger.

The President has given governors more financial support than any of his predecessors—three times more, in fact. But people rarely ask how that money is being used. Why are there no new jobs? Why isn’t unemployment dropping? Instead, everyone blames Tinubu. We need to start holding state governments accountable too.

What’s your take on employment and insecurity, particularly in relation to policing?

This country is severely under-policed. The police-to-citizen ratio is abysmal. Years ago, it was one officer for nearly a million people. That may have improved slightly, but it’s still terrible. Visit any village market—you’ll barely find a police officer. How can we fight crime this way?

We need to overhaul our attitude toward policing. It’s not just about catching criminals after the fact; it’s about preventing crime. That means regular patrols, intelligence gathering, and 24-hour service. Policing shouldn’t follow the civil service model of clocking out at 4 p.m. It should run in shifts—morning, afternoon, and night. Crime doesn’t take a break, and neither should our security systems.

If we want true security, we must professionalize and modernize the police. Every officer, even those in traffic units, should be available at night. People have a right to move and do business at all hours. Our police force must adapt to this reality.