The presidency has responded to criticism surrounding opposition politicians’ recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC last Wednesday.
Other PDP leaders in Delta have also defected to the ruling APC.
Defections between the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the APC have also occurred.
However, many stakeholders and critics regard the flood of defections to the ruling party as an attempt to transform Nigeria into a one-party state.
Some opposition figures, notably Dele Momodu, the owner of Ovation magazine, accused the ruling party of coercing people into its ranks.
However, in a statement made on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s media adviser, claimed the charges that Tinubu is supporting a one-party state are “false, baseless, and exaggerated”.
Onanuga stated that the presidency does not have an explicit policy to weaken opposition parties, as some think.
The presidential spokesperson stated that the president’s role is not to strengthen or organise opposition parties.
Onanuga stated that those denouncing the recent defections have not raised any concerns about some politicians establishing an alliance to topple the president in 2027.
He added that democracy is not in danger because politicians are exercising their rights to freedom of association.
“Contrary to the false claims in the propaganda materials in circulation across mainstream and social media, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“Accusations that the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated.
“We must add that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to ‘dismantle democracy’ or ‘weaken opposition or create a one-party state.
“Accusations of bribery, blackmail, and the weaponisation of state institutions only exist in the idle minds of politicians and their agents who have failed in their assigned role of opposition and are fishing for scapegoats.
“The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs.
“It is certainly not part of President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties.
“We find it curious that those who celebrated the defection of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the formation of a regional grand coalition with the sole aim of defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 election are the same people shedding crocodile tears over Nigeria’s so-called drift to a one-party state and authoritarianism.
“While the latter-day defenders of democracy raised no anxious voice against the disgruntled politicians cobbling an anti-Tinubu, anti-APC coalition along dangerous regional lines, even before INEC blows the whistle for party politicking.
“They are quick to ascribe the political shifts in some states to ‘bribery, blackmail, and coercion’ without any shred of evidence.
“Without any equivocation, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of choice are part of the cherished ideals of democracy.
“When politicians and citizens cannot freely join any association or political party of their choice or cannot openly express their views, democracy is imperilled.
“Those opposed to the Tinubu administration should understand that they can issue diatribes, without fear, against the government because we practice a thriving democracy.”
Discussion about this post