• APC chieftain knocks Tinubu’s govt, warns of potential one-term presidency
• Shettima, Ganduje, Omo-Agege set to welcome Oborevwori to APC today
• Uzodimma predicts more defections ahead of 2027 elections
The Presidency and a coalition of civil society advocates differed yesterday over allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was making subtle moves to undermine democracy.
The 17-strong coalition condemned what they described as a subtle plot to create a one-party state, warning that the country’s hard-won democracy is under significant threat.
The group, which includes prominent figures such as Richard Akinnola, Abdul Mahmud, Dr Sam Amadi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Prof. Adele Jinadu, and others, voiced their concerns after a meeting in Abuja.
They issued a resolution in which they raised alarms about the erosion of Nigeria’s democratic foundations under the administration of President Tinubu. According to the group, there is a calculated and systematic effort to dismantle political pluralism, and they urged the president to uphold the democratic path that led to his own election.
“We, the undersigned democrats, raise our voices in alarm and solidarity at this critical hour in the life of our nation,” the statement read. “Nigeria’s democracy—hard-won through decades of struggle, sacrifice, and steadfast resistance against authoritarian rule—is under grave threat.”
The group expressed deep concerns that political pluralism in Nigeria is being undermined, not through persuasion or performance, but by tactics including bribery, blackmail, and coercion.
The advocates highlighted the growing trend of serving and former governors, senators, and key opposition figures defecting en masse to the ruling party, not out of conviction, but under pressure or fear of political persecution.
They pointed out that many defections seem to follow invitations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning on financial impropriety, suggesting a pattern where state institutions are being weaponised for partisan gain. “This weaponisation of state institutions corrodes public trust and undermines the integrity of our democracy,” the group stated.
“A democracy without opposition is not a democracy,” the group asserted. “The presence of multiple, vibrant parties is not a luxury; it is the lifeblood of any democratic system. It provides citizens with real choices, ensures accountability, encourages debate, and fosters innovation in governance.”
The advocates warned that the drift toward a one-party state would be a betrayal of the democratic ideals that many of them, including President Tinubu, fought for during the military dictatorship years. They noted that this shift was not in line with the constitution or the vision of a democratic Nigeria.
The group also highlighted the potential dangers of creeping authoritarianism, including a return to impunity, where the absence of opposition leads to arrogance and unaccountable governance.
They cautioned that the erosion of political pluralism could stifle the diversity of voices that are essential to Nigeria’s democratic fabric, particularly the voices of young Nigerians who seek to contribute to national discourse.
HOWEVER, the Presidency dismissed claims of an alleged drift towards a one-party state.
In a statement titled Democracy Strong and Alive in Nigeria, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, yesterday described the accusations as baseless and exaggerated.
Onanuga attributed the defections, including those of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Delta governor and vice-presidential candidate Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to their belief in the APC’s governance and reforms. He characterised the defections as voluntary, dismissing allegations of coercion or bribery.
“The seismic shift caused by the defection of key figures has understandably thrown the opposition into disarray,” the statement noted. Onanuga described the opposition’s reactions as “alarming claims orchestrated by disgruntled figures and partisan human rights crusaders.”
He added that President Tinubu remains committed to upholding Nigeria’s democratic values and is focused on reversing decades of economic mismanagement.
Onanuga noted that democracy in Nigeria is not under threat, stating: “There is no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency to dismantle democracy or weaken opposition parties. Claims of weaponising state institutions are figments of the imagination of opposition politicians.”
He argued that the opposition’s struggles were self-inflicted, stemming from poor organisation, indiscipline, and incompetence. “It is not President Tinubu’s responsibility to organise or strengthen opposition parties,” Onanuga said.
The statement also criticised those celebrating defections away from the APC while condemning moves to the ruling party. Onanuga described such reactions as hypocritical, accusing critics of double standards.
“It is hypocrisy writ large when opposition politicians and their collaborators celebrate defections to their camp while crying wolf over defections to the APC,” he said.
Onanuga reaffirmed that freedom of association is a cornerstone of democracy, highlighting the rights of politicians and citizens to join political parties of their choice. “Democracy is imperilled when people are denied the freedom to make political choices,” he said.
He added that the defections reflect confidence in the APC’s reforms and governance. “Nigerians migrating to the APC are doing so of their free will, believing that the reforms being executed are in the interest of Nigerians and future generations.”
The Presidency described accusations of authoritarianism as an attempt to delegitimise the political choices of Nigerians. “It is a gross disservice to democracy to delegitimise the choices of some Nigerians while upholding others’ rights to form coalitions against Tinubu and the APC,” Onanuga said.
The statement highlighted President Tinubu’s history as a pro-democracy activist and defender of multiparty democracy. Onanuga praised the President’s role in building opposition platforms that defeated a sitting president, describing him as a “tested and relentless defender of multiparty democracy.”
Onanuga also commended the APC’s National Working Committee, led by Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, for making the party attractive to Nigerians. He noted that party-switching is common in democracies worldwide, citing examples from advanced political systems.
The Presidency urged Nigerians to reject what it called “fictional alarming narratives” and to support the administration’s efforts to strengthen democracy.
“Under President Tinubu, democracy is strong, and the multiparty democratic system will continue to flourish. We call on all Nigerians to join hands with the administration in protecting our democracy and respecting diverse political choices,” Onanuga said.
ALSO, an APC chieftain, Jesutega Onokpasa, criticised Tinubu’s administration, describing its performance as a “woeful failure”.
Speaking during an interview with Arise Television yesterday, Onokpasa expressed concerns that Tinubu could become a one-term president if his governance does not improve.
Onokpasa also questioned the defection of Oborevwori, whom he identified as his cousin, to the APC. He remarked that the governor’s move does not bring tangible value to the party or the state.
“It is not a question of people defecting to our party. It is a question of are we ruling well? In that sense, we failed woefully,” he said. “President Bola Tinubu has failed to provide food for Nigerians or alleviate hardship during these difficult times.”
Onokpasa criticised the ongoing wave of defections from opposition parties into the APC, calling it undemocratic. “The whole idea of packing people into our party—that is not democracy,” he stated. “The interesting thing is that you must always have opposition because people must disagree. The idea of a one-party state is simply unattainable.”
He warned that without a shift in focus towards good governance, these defections might not benefit the party in the 2027 elections.
“At the rate we are going, all these things won’t help us in 2027. If we are not careful, Bola Tinubu will end up as a one-term president. Quote me anywhere,” he concluded.
MEANWHILE, APC governors and the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, arrived in Delta State yesterday for today’s rally to receive Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other PDP leaders who have defected to the APC.
They were received by Oborevwori at the Delta State Government House.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is also expected to attend the rally.
Several APC leaders, including the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Delta APC founding leader, Olorogun Otega Emerhor; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Joel Onowakpo-Thomas; and his Delta Central counterpart, Senator Ede Dafinone, have all welcomed the governor’s defection to the party.
Also, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Leader of the APC in the state, described the development as a “new dawn” for Delta.
In a statement, Omo-Agege called the defection a landmark victory for the APC and a testament to the appeal of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said: “We joyfully welcome His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and thousands of patriotic leaders and members into our great party. Delta’s future just got brighter!”
He assured party stakeholders that the transition was being handled prudently, following extensive consultations with the APC national leadership, the Progressive Governors Forum, and Delta APC stakeholders.
Omo-Agege urged all party members and supporters to attend, calling the event “the biggest political realignment in Delta’s history.”
RELATEDLY, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed confidence that more opposition politicians will join the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja over the weekend after a meeting with political stakeholders from Delta State, Uzodimma said the APC is witnessing a surge in membership, particularly in Delta, which he described as nearing a one-party state.
“You can see the tide is moving, and people are joining, and there will be no end to it,” he said. “You must have heard that our party in Delta is growing from strength to strength. The high point of the state of the party is that Delta is now almost a one-party state.”
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum, noted that the party is committed to ensuring a seamless integration of its new members with existing ones. He stressed the importance of using the APC’s internal mechanisms to manage the influx and strengthen party unity.
“We have to meet to be able to manage this very huge success,” he said. “Using the internal mechanism of our great party, we will receive our new members, our new leaders, and come together as a family to grow the party and support the government in Delta for the benefit of our people and members of our great party.”
The governor described the recent developments in Delta as a testament to the APC’s growing popularity and the appeal of its governance model.
Uzodimma attributed the surge in defections to widespread admiration for the APC-led government at the national level. He said the party’s leadership is committed to fostering development and inclusivity in governance.
“We are happy with the development, and it is a big testimony to the fact that the APC government in Nigeria is being admired by many, if not all,” he added.
