As the political tempo ahead of the 2027 general elections begins to rise, the Presidency has described as baseless and alarmist, claims by opposition figures that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, issued a strong rebuttal on Sunday, insisting that President Tinubu is not plotting to establish a one-party state, contrary to growing speculations.
His reaction follows the recent defections of prominent opposition figures — including former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and his successor, Sheriff Oborevwori — to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), fueling speculation that the political landscape is tilting dangerously towards single-party dominance.
Onanuga, however, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, noting that the wave of defections reflects the vibrancy of Nigeria’s democracy rather than a threat to it.
“We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights crusaders, and emergency defenders of democracy over recent defections of key opposition members into the governing APC,” Onanuga stated.
He described the recent political shifts — including the public endorsement of President Tinubu by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno — as a natural outcome of political realignments and not a government-driven campaign to weaken opposition parties.
According to him, the failure of the opposition’s so-called “grand coalition” has left them grasping at conspiracy theories.
“Accusations suggesting the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated,” he said, adding that no policy or directive from the Presidency seeks to undermine democratic principles.
He argued that the migration of political actors into the APC is a testament to the attractiveness of the party’s policies and Tinubu’s leadership, rather than the result of coercion.
“It is hypocrisy for opposition politicians and their allies to lament defections to the APC while celebrating the movement of other politicians into opposition coalitions,” Onanuga stressed.
He further reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to multiparty democracy, citing his long-standing political activism, which contributed to defeating an incumbent president in 2015.
“Freedom of association and political choice are core democratic values,” Onanuga maintained. “Those opposed to the Tinubu administration must respect the choices of Nigerians.”
He praised the APC leadership under Abdullahi Ganduje for making the party more appealing to Nigerians and urged citizens to reject alarmists who seek to distort the unfolding political narrative.
“President Tinubu remains a tested and committed democrat. Our democracy is not under threat. Nigerians are making free and independent political choices,” he concluded.
Comments