The Presidency has dismissed recent claims suggesting Nigeria’s democracy is under threat, describing the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused opposition elements and certain activists of spreading misinformation following a series of defections from major opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, alongside former PDP vice-presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, have recently shifted their political allegiance, a development that has unsettled opposition ranks. This, Onanuga said, has led to a wave of accusations branding the Tinubu administration as fostering a one-party state.
Refuting these allegations, the Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu remains a staunch supporter of multiparty democracy. It stressed that there has been no presidential directive or action aimed at suppressing opposition voices or weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“It is dishonest to blame President Tinubu for the internal crises and failures within opposition parties. “The APC is not responsible for the disarray and lack of cohesion that plague rival groups” the state read.
The Presidency further noted that some of those now criticizing political realignments had previously celebrated similar moves when figures like former Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, aligned with opposition forces seeking to challenge President Tinubu’s mandate in 2027.
It warned against double standards, emphasizing that freedom of association remains a constitutional right. Citizens and politicians, it added, are at liberty to join any political platform they find agreeable without facing accusations of betrayal or coercion.
Onanuga observed that the rise in support for the APC is a reflection of growing confidence in the administration’s policies aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy. He described the narrative of an emerging dictatorship as mere fiction peddled by those unwilling to accept the changing political landscape.
“Democracy thrives when people are free to make their political choices without intimidation.”The migration of politicians to the APC is a voluntary decision, based on a belief in the reforms currently underway” the statement added
Highlighting global political practices, the Presidency pointed out that party switching is neither rare nor peculiar to Nigeria, with examples evident even in mature democracies across the world.
It praised the APC’s leadership under Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for building a political platform that is increasingly attractive to Nigerians across the spectrum.
Concluding, Onanuga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s lifelong commitment to democratic principles, recalling his pivotal role in building strong opposition forces in Nigeria’s recent history.
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant against misinformation and to continue safeguarding democratic values by respecting the political choices of all citizens.
