Eighteen personalities, comprising professionals from different backgrounds, yesterday, alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is making effort to dismantle the democratic foundations of the Fourth Republic towards reducing Nigeria to one-party state.
Accordingly, they called on Nigerians to be vigilant and speak out in order to protect hard-fought democracy, reports Nigerian Tribune.
In an open letter titled: Defending democracy: A call to resist the march toward a one-party state in Nigeria, they expressed a serious concern about the emerging authoritarian rule that constitutes a grave threat to the hard-won civil rule by Nigerians.
The letter was jointly signed by Professor Adele Jinadu, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Dr Jibrin Ibrahim and Olufemi Adegbulugbe.
The other signatories are: Richard Akinola, Abdul Mahmud, Dr Sam Amadi, Auwa Ibrahim Musa (Rasfajani), Nnimmo Bassey, Adeola Soetan, Honourable Uche Onyeagucha, Uzodinma Uwaogbe, Mma Odi, Femi Aborishade and Osa Director.
Describing themselves as democrats, they lamented that the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using subterfuge to castrate political pluralism by muzzling opposition and inducing defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to them, the government is deploying coercive organs of the state, including the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) to blackmail, intimidate and force key opposition figures to do its bidding.
They noted that the creeping authoritarianism has dire consequences, including a risk returning to a culture of impunity, where the absence of opposition breeds arrogance and unaccountable governance.
Besides, they said the ugly trend jeopardises the federal character of the Nigerian democracy by suffocating the diversity of voices and interests that make up the republic, as they warned that the situation stifles the political space for young Nigerians to organize, question, and contribute to the national discourse.
While reminding President Bola Tinubu of his role in the bitter struggle that culminated in the restoration of civil rule in Nigeria in 1999, they asserted that the current drift toward a one-party state is a betrayal of the ideals that many of us—and indeed President Tinubu himself — fought for during the darkest days of military.
“We urge the Nigerian people, civil society, the media, and the international community to stand vigilant and speak out. History will not be kind to silence in the face of this unfolding danger.
“We did not fight to end military dictatorship only to enthrone civilian authoritarianism. We must rise now to defend democracy, or risk losing it forever,’ they stated.
Part of the letter read: “We, the undersigned democrats, raise our voices in alarm and solidarity at this critical hour in the life of our nation.
Nigeria’s democracy —hard-won through decades of struggle, sacrifice, and steadfast resistance against authoritarian rule —is under grave threat.
“We are witnessing, with increasing dismay, a calculated and systematic effort by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismantle the democratic foundations of our republic and reduce Nigeria to a one-party state.
“Under this administration, political pluralism is being eroded not by persuasion or performance, but by bribery, blackmail, and coercion. Serving and former governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and key opposition figures are decamping en masse to the ruling party, not out of conviction, but out of fear and pressure.
“The pattern is disturbingly clear: an invitation by the EFCC for questioning on financial impropriety is swiftly followed by political capitulation. This weaponisation of state institutions for partisan gain corrodes public trust and undermines the integrity of our democracy.”
“We must say it clearly: A democracy without opposition is not a democracy. 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 drift toward a one-party state is a betrayal of the ideals that many of us—and indeed President Tinubu himself—fought for during the darkest days of military dictatorship. It is not what we envisioned when we stood in the streets demanding civil rule. It is not what the constitution guarantees. And it is not what Nigeria’s future demands.
“The implications of this creeping authoritarianism are dire: We risk returning to a culture of impunity, where the absence of opposition breeds arrogance and unaccountable governance.
We jeopardize the federal character of our democracy by suffocating the diversity of voices and interests that make up our republic.
“We stifle the political space for young Nigerians to organize, question, and contribute to the national discourse. This must stop.
“We call on Mr President to remember the democratic path that brought him to power, to respect the multi-party architecture of our republic, and to end the persecution and intimidation of opposition leaders.
“The strength of a democracy lies not in the dominance of one party, but in the ability of many to coexist, compete, and cooperate for the good of all.
“We urge the Nigerian people, civil society, the media, and the international community to stand vigilant and speak out. History will not be kind to silence in the face of this unfolding danger.
“We did not fight to end military dictatorship only to enthrone civilian authoritarianism. We must rise now to defend democracy, or risk losing it forever.”
Tinubu not building a one-party state —Presidency
Dismisses allegations of coercion, bribery, blackmail
The Presidency has dismissed claims that recent defections of prominent opposition politicians into the All Progressives Congress (APC) are part of a plot to create a one-party state, insisting that democracy in Nigeria remains “strong and alive” under President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused “disgruntled opposition figures” and “partisan human rights crusaders” of peddling falsehoods about Nigeria’s political direction following the defection of key Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former PDP vice-presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“The intervention came as the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) prepares for a critical meeting this week to address mounting internal challenges, including a surge of defections, leadership disputes, and growing divisions over coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The party’s recent troubles have sparked alarm among its loyalists and some political observers, who fear the opposition is disintegrating in the face of APC’s strategic political gains.
“The seismic shift caused by Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s open declaration of support for President Tinubu, along with the defections in Delta and Rivers States, certainly threw the opposition into disarray,” Onanuga said.
“But contrary to their baseless claims, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria.”
He dismissed allegations of coercion, bribery, and blackmail in securing defections, stressing that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to democratic ideals, including freedom of association and multi-party competition.
“The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs,” the statement added.
“It is not part of President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties.”
Within the PDP, however, the defections have exposed deeper fractures that could shape the party’s fate heading into 2027.
Governors and party leaders are sharply divided over whether to pursue a coalition with other opposition groups – a strategy championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar – or focus on internal rebuilding.
The NWC is expected to deliberate on recommendations for a national convention and decide on its stance regarding a coalition at an upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
But insiders warn that the party risks further implosion if it fails to present a united front.
The leadership vacuum, highlighted by disputes over critical offices such as the National Secretary, has also fueled concerns that the PDP might lose more ground to an increasingly assertive APC.
Despite the presidency’s assurances, some opposition figures argue that the scale and speed of recent defections are alarming and could damage Nigeria’s fledgling multi-party democracy if not checked.
They accuse the APC of using the “power of incumbency” to tilt the political playing field in its favor – charges the ruling party strongly denies.
Yet analysts note that political realignments are not unusual in Nigeria’s volatile political environment, especially as election cycles approach. President Tinubu himself rose to power partly by building alliances across party lines to defeat a sitting government in 2015 – a fact the State House emphasised in its defense.
“Politicians changing party affiliation is not new or peculiar to Nigeria,” Onanuga said.
“President Tinubu is an avowed democrat and a firm believer in multi-party democracy,” he added.
