The Presidency has dismissed recent claims by opposition figures, partisan activists, and so-called defenders of democracy alleging that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat following a series of high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former governor and PDP vice-presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and other major political figures in Delta State has caused significant political upheaval, throwing the opposition and its sympathisers into disarray.
In a statement issued on Saturday, government sources described as “disturbing” the opposition’s resort to false allegations against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of seeking to establish a one-party state. The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu remains firmly committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, not undermining it.
“Contrary to the false claims being circulated on mainstream and social media, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria. Accusations of authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated,” the statement read.
Officials emphasized that no policy, directive, or action from the Presidency seeks to dismantle democracy or weaken the opposition. They described allegations of bribery, blackmail, and the weaponisation of state institutions as “figments of the opposition’s imagination.”
The statement also pointed out the opposition’s inconsistency, noting that those who celebrated the reported defection of former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are now crying foul over political realignments that do not favour them.
“Freedom of association, freedom of speech, and freedom of choice are cherished ideals of democracy,” the statement stressed, adding that Nigerians migrating to the APC are doing so of their own free will based on their belief in the reforms being championed by President Tinubu.
The Presidency reiterated that democracy in Nigeria remains strong under President Tinubu’s leadership, and that multiparty democracy will continue to flourish.
It further noted that political realignments are not peculiar to Nigeria, citing examples from more advanced democracies where politicians frequently change parties without claims of democratic collapse.
Finally, the Presidency commended President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee under Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for making the ruling party more attractive to Nigerians across the country.
“President Tinubu’s political activism and democratic credentials, especially his role in galvanising opposition forces that defeated an incumbent President, stand as a testament to his deep commitment to democracy,” the statement concluded.
The government called on all Nigerians to support efforts to strengthen democracy and ignore what it described as “alarmist narratives rooted in fiction.”