Former Senate President and elder statesman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has said Nigeria’s fortunes have been on a steady decline since the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed power in 2015.
Wabara, who is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the assertion in a 78th birthday message seen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
He accused the ruling APC of failing to fulfil its promises to Nigerians and warned that allowing the party to remain in power beyond 2027 could further endanger the country’s future.
“The APC promised change, but what Nigerians have witnessed over the years is a painful decline in living standards, deepening divisions, mounting debt burdens, and worsening insecurity,” he said.
Wabara said the effects of the alleged decline were visible across the country, urging Nigerians to critically assess the direction of the nation and make informed political choices ahead of future elections.
He also alleged that there were attempts by the ruling party to weaken opposition voices and shrink the democratic space, warning that such trends could undermine Nigeria’s democracy if not checked.
According to the two-term senator who represented Abia South from 1999 to 2007, Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not a lack of resources or talent but poor leadership.
“A nation blessed with abundant wealth and extraordinary human capital should not be battling the level of poverty, hunger, unemployment and insecurity we see today,” he said.
Wabara lamented the rising cost of living, declining purchasing power, unemployment and what he described as growing public frustration across the country.
He further said businesses were shutting down, investor confidence was weakening, and families were struggling to cope amid worsening economic conditions and insecurity.
The former senate president argued that the solution lies in greater civic participation, urging eligible Nigerians—especially young people—to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and actively engage in the electoral process.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, security agencies and other democratic institutions to discharge their duties with integrity and patriotism.
“My greatest birthday gift would be to see millions of Nigerians register, collect their voter cards and prepare to participate in shaping the future of their country,” Wabara added.