Nigeria’s President Tinubu led government has dismissed claims by opposition figures and human rights activists that Nigeria’s democracy is threatened following a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, on Sunday, the government described recent concerns as “alarmist,” insisting that “democracy is strong and alive in Nigeria.”
“We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights crusaders, and emergency defenders of democracy,” Onanuga said, reacting to criticisms over the defection of key political figures to the APC.
The statement highlighted the political shift caused by “Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s open declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu,” the “defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori,” and the switch of “Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, former PDP vice-presidential candidate,” among others. These moves, Onanuga noted, have thrown the opposition “into disarray.”
While acknowledging the opposition’s right to be “heartbroken,” the Presidency said it was “disturbing” that critics are accusing Tinubu of “promoting a one-party state,” describing such allegations as “false” and “exaggerated.”
“Contrary to the propaganda in circulation,” Onanuga stated, “no policy, action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to dismantle democracy or weaken the opposition.”
He further stressed that accusations of “bribery, blackmail, and the weaponization of state institutions” exist only “in the idle minds of politicians who have failed in their role as the opposition.”
According to the statement, the ruling APC should not be blamed for the “poor organisation, indiscipline, and incompetence” within opposition ranks.
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
