The Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Lagos State Chapter, Ayoyinka Oni, has emphasized the critical importance of ideology in shaping the nation’s political future.

Speaking during an interview with Independent Correspondent, Ejike Omenazu, Oni declared that socialism remains the only path to genuine liberation and sustainable development for Nigeria.

When asked to assess the role ideology would play in the forthcoming elections, Oni expressed concern that Nigerians still largely lack an ideological compass in their political choices.

According to him, the ongoing trend in recent bye-elections suggests that most voters remain uninformed or unconcerned about the ideological stance of the candidates they support.

“Nigerians are yet to understand that ideology is key and important in choosing leadership,” Oni stated. “2027 is already around the corner. If we will be using what is going on now to determine if they will be critical about ideology, the answer will definitely be ‘No’. This is because of all the bye-elections that we have seen so far.”

Despite this, the AAC Lagos Chairman remains optimistic, stressing the party’s commitment to ongoing public enlightenment. “We will continue to educate them and we believe and know it is possible for them to get understanding before 2027,” he added.

Oni argued that Nigeria’s current economic and political struggles are deeply rooted in its lack of ideological direction, particularly its subservience to global capitalist interests.

He criticized the prevailing neoliberal economic model which, according to him, has turned Nigeria into an “open market to world capitalists” who dictate the country’s trade policies and prices.

“As far as a working society is concerned, socialism is the key to liberate Nigeria,” he affirmed. “We have to produce, refine and mine our own resources, while we determine our prices. Also, own our assets and companies.”

Oni also condemned successive Nigerian governments for what he described as the wholesale auctioning of the nation’s wealth and sovereignty. “The present crop of politicians have sold us and even sold our resources. Only socialism can stop it.”

He advocated for a system of resource control that guarantees that all citizens benefit directly from the natural and mineral wealth in their communities. “Allow resource control by making sure all citizens get the benefit from the resources on their land, be it mineral or natural resources,” Oni insisted.

The AAC, a party founded on socialist principles and led nationally by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, has continued to present itself as a radical alternative to the dominant political forces in the country.