The hashtag #EndAPCNow is currently trending on Twitter in Nigeria, with over 21,000 tweets using the hashtag in the last 24 hours.
Since Nigerians voted out President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 election, electing Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with hopes for substantial change, the expected improvements have not materialized. Instead, many Nigerians have faced increased hardships during Buhari’s eight-year tenure. With the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president, the situation has reportedly worsened, leading to growing discontent and predictions of mass protests.
The hashtag #EndAPCNow is being used to demand an end to the APC’s rule amidst widespread economic hardship and social challenges. This social media movement parallels protests in Kenya calling for an end to the current regime there.
Nigeria is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis, marked by hunger, rising criminal activities, and a depreciating Naira. Businesses are folding or relocating due to escalating operational costs and power issues.
On Thursday, Trend24, a platform that tracks Twitter (now X) trends globally, listed #EndAPCNow as a top 5 trend with 287,050 current posts. Many users are expressing frustration with unemployment, poverty, and insecurity, urging the APC to take responsibility and implement policies that benefit the masses.
The trend has ignited a heated debate on social media, with some defending the APC while others call for a change in leadership. The movement is expected to continue gaining momentum as Nigerians voice their demands for change.
Examples of tweets include:
– “It’s time for a change in Nigeria! #ENDAPCNOW”
– “The APC has failed us, it’s time for a new leadership! #ENDAPCNOW”
– “Nigeria deserves better, let’s work together to build a better future! #ENDAPCNOW”
– “The hardship in Nigeria is too much, we need a change! #ENDAPCNOW”
– “The APC has brought us nothing but poverty and suffering, it’s time to end their rule! #ENDAPCNOW”
A netizen posted, “Nigerians can’t afford to make common stew because tomatoes are no longer affordable. Everyone is hungry, people are hopeless and living in squalor while these APC gluttons are wasting funds on frivolous things. #ENDAPCNOW #tinubuhasfailed.”
Another user claimed, “IF NIGERIANS DON’T END APC, APC WILL END NIGERIANS. EndSars Pro-Max⏳. Is not about tribe, religion, culture or whatever now, it’s about the betterment of our NIGERIA. Don’t be brainwashed, APC is an enemy of progress, and enemy of progress is our enemy. Therefore? #ENDAPCNOW.”
A supporter of the Labour Party (LP) posted, “How can less than 2000 evil people in APC be holding over 200 million innocent Nigerian lives hostage? Is it that we’re afraid to react simply because of their torture. Which other torture is more severe than what they’re doing to us now? NIGERIANS!! It’s time to? #EndAPCNow.”
Efforts to reach the APC Publicity Secretary for an official reaction to the trend have been unsuccessful.
