The Disconnect That Could Cost The APC In 2027 – Group Raises Alarm

A political advocacy group, Delta State Compass for Excellent Governance (DSCEG) 2027, has warned that one of the greatest threats to any government is not the opposition, the media, or civil society, but political appointees who fail to provide honest feedback to their leaders. According to the group, when appointees tell leaders only what they want to hear instead of what they need to know, governments become increasingly disconnected from the realities confronting ordinary citizens.

In a press statement signed by its President, Amb. Bright Emuobohwosan, and Secretary, Comr. Ngozi Eze, the group said this disconnect appears to be one of the major challenges confronting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many APC-led state governments.

The group noted that many Nigerians continue to grapple with soaring inflation, rising food prices, unemployment, decaying infrastructure, insecurity, and a declining standard of living. It observed that the phrase, “there is hunger and anger in the land,” has become a common refrain reflecting the daily struggles of millions of households.

While acknowledging that many Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants (SAs), Personal Assistants (PAs), other appointees, and party leaders are working diligently and making meaningful contributions to governance, DSCEG 2027 expressed concern that some political appointees have failed in their responsibility to serve as an effective bridge between government and the grassroots.

According to the group, rather than communicating the genuine concerns of citizens, some appointees present an overly optimistic picture of the country’s situation. Public frustration, it said, is too often dismissed as opposition propaganda, while legitimate concerns over hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and the rising cost of living are not adequately communicated to policymakers.

The group further observed that some political appointees are already pursuing future political ambitions and, in an effort to remain in the good graces of their principals, avoid delivering uncomfortable truths. It warned that such behaviour does not strengthen government; rather, it weakens it. Effective leadership, the group stressed, depends on access to accurate information and an honest assessment of realities on the ground.

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DSCEG 2027 also alleged that while some appointees place personal political interests above effective governance, others have become so detached from the grassroots that they cannot influence voters even within their own polling units. Such individuals, the group argued, cannot be relied upon to mobilise electoral support because they have failed to build genuine relationships with the people.

The group urged the Federal Government and APC governors to regard the recent concerns expressed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria on widespread hardship, insecurity, hunger, and economic challenges as constructive national feedback rather than political criticism. Whether or not the government agrees entirely with the Bishops’ assessment, the group maintained that the issues raised reflect the lived experiences of many Nigerians.

According to DSCEG 2027, history has shown that governments rarely lose elections because of opposition propaganda alone. Rather, they lose public confidence when citizens feel neglected, when economic hardship persists without visible relief, and when those in authority appear disconnected from the realities of everyday life.

The group warned that unless the current economic and social challenges are addressed with greater urgency-and unless political appointees stop shielding leaders from the true mood of the nation-the consequences could extend beyond governance and significantly affect the electoral fortunes of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

It stressed that no political party, regardless of its strength or organisational structure, should assume electoral victory is guaranteed. Public trust, it said, is earned through responsive leadership, people-centred policies, transparency, accountability, and continuous engagement with citizens. If many Nigerians continue to experience hardship without tangible improvements in their quality of life, those realities could significantly influence voting decisions in the next general election.

The group therefore called on the Tinubu administration and APC governors to intensify efforts to curb inflation, reduce the cost of living, rehabilitate critical infrastructure, improve food security, create sustainable employment opportunities, strengthen security, and implement policies that directly improve the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. According to the group, citizens are more interested in practical solutions than political rhetoric.

CGG 2027 also reminded political appointees that their foremost responsibility is to provide honest, objective, and timely advice to their principals, even when such advice may be uncomfortable. Honest feedback, it emphasised, is not an act of disloyalty but a vital ingredient of effective governance and sound decision-making.

Furthermore, the group called on President Tinubu and APC governors to deepen direct engagement with citizens through regular town hall meetings and consultations with labour unions, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth organisations, women’s groups, professional associations, community leaders, and civil society organisations. Such engagements, it said, would provide firsthand insight into the challenges confronting Nigerians and enable governments to formulate more responsive policies.

The group concluded by reminding the APC that elections are ultimately won at the grassroots. The mood of the people today, it said, will largely determine the outcome of tomorrow’s elections. If the concerns of ordinary Nigerians continue to be ignored and the disconnect between government and the grassroots persists, the party could face a far more difficult electoral contest in 2027. Listening to the people, responding sincerely to their concerns, and delivering measurable improvements in their lives, the group concluded, remain the surest path to restoring public confidence and securing another electoral mandate.