The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of turning Nigeria into a “full authoritarian state,” citing alleged erosion of democratic institutions, suppression of dissent and weakening of checks and balances.

The PDP made the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, on Saturday.

The statement reads in full, “The report by the Human Rights Foundation, in its latest global assessment, classifying Nigeria as a fully authoritarian regime is a mere global confirmation of the local reality that Nigerians have been facing under the APC-led Federal Government. The report confirms the faulty electoral process, absence of protection for dissent, erosion of democratic safeguards and the obvious collapse of checks and balances on the executive by critical national institutions.

“The report published on the foundation’s Tyranny Tracker platform, tyrannytracker.org, shows that the country performed abysmally low on all the critical pillars of its assessment, indicating a full descent into authoritarianism, which is incompatible with democratic tenets.

“It is worthy of note that the assessment parameters of the foundation align with the theoretical frameworks that have identified, analysed and condemned authoritarian regimes-being the rule by a dictator and a small group, or a single party; the absence of institutional checks and balances; loss or apprehension of freedom of speech; opposition targeting; and weak and fake elections. 

“It does not take any high degree of intelligence for anybody to agree with the report, because all the indicators of authoritarianism are present in Nigeria, under this Tinubu regime.

“A few examples from the numerous anomalies experienced by Nigerians will suffice here-the recent deployment of uncivilised and uncouth media attacks by officials of the administration to attack Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Catholic Church and Christianity generally.

“This incident is one of many which eloquently attest to the absence of freedom of speech under this administration. What did the cleric say that is not the lived experience of Nigerians, except, of course, the few who are isolated from reality and their paid human megaphones? 

“The complete failure of the National Assembly to offer any form of meaningful checks to the executive is not a secret-else how could an administration fail to execute the Appropriation Act for three years, and yet that administration gets commendation, instead of condemnation, from the legislature? A parliament that ignores or blatantly disrespects the country’s constitution and its own standing rules during critical legislative activities cannot offer credible oversight of the executive. 

“What is left, which the administration has doubled down on, is the fact that the 2027 elections are designed as a mere formality, far from reflecting the people’s wishes through the ballot.

“We call on the Tinubu APC administration to immediately take critical steps to de-escalate the political tensions emanating from actions traceable to their officials and their proxies, in the interest of the survival of democracy. 

“The continuous asphyxiation of the opposition, clear weaponisation of security agencies against real and perceived opponents, increasing signs of partisanship by the electoral umpire, and reckless deployment of combustible political rhetoric by the President and his handlers should cease. 

“The President must realise that there are two contests embedded in the 2027 Presidential elections-the presidency and the country. An attempt to focus on winning the former at all costs may result in the loss of the latter; and only a free, fair, credible and peaceful contest can guarantee a win for both coveted prizes.

“We urge Nigerians to continue to demand accountability from their leaders at all levels, as this is the irreducible minimum that democracy provides.”

The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has charged troops deployed to support security operations during the Osun State off-cycle governorship election to remain professional and strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct for Election Duty.

General Mahmuda according to a statement issued by the acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, gave the directive while addressing troops preparing to support the Nigeria Police Force during the election at the Engineer Construction Command in Ede, Osun State on Friday.

The GOC said the troops had a critical responsibility as part of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate to provide aid to civil authorities.

He said the military operation, code-named “Operation SAFE CONDUCT, is designed to support the Nigeria Police Force, which remains the lead agency responsible for election security and the conduct of elections in Nigeria.”

According to Mahmuda, the troops are expected to provide outer-cordon security and respond to security situations only when called upon to do so.

He directed the soldiers to stay away from polling units, while responding appropriately to security threats that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, expects nothing short of professional conduct by the troops in support of the NPF,” Mahmuda said.

He urged the troops to shun sentiments, bias and actions that could compromise their duties, stressing that their conduct must be guided by Nigeria’s national interest.

Mahmuda also charged them to remain disciplined and maintain a robust security posture without harassing members of the public. 

He assured the troops that the necessary resources had been provided for the seamless execution of Operation SAFE CONDUCT.

The GOC appealed to residents of Osun State to have confidence in the security arrangements put in place for the election, assuring them that the deployment was aimed at maintaining law and order and enabling citizens to freely exercise their constitutional rights.

Former Benue State governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom has rejected reports claiming that he and other senior members of the party are considering replacing the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah.

Ortom described the reports circulating on social media as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented the purpose of a recent meeting involving some prominent Benue stakeholders.

In a statement released by his media assistant, Zege Terhide, the former governor said the report was a “mischievous” distortion of the discussions held during the meeting.

He explained that the meeting brought together himself, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, Aondoakaa and other notable Benue indigenes, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan.

According to Ortom, the gathering was part of broader consultations involving influential stakeholders, aimed at creating a strategic partnership that would serve the interests of Benue State.

He firmly denied that the issue of changing the PDP governorship candidate featured in the discussions.

“At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda,” Ortom said.

The former governor said there was nothing unusual about political figures consulting with stakeholders, noting that such engagements were part of the democratic process.

He consequently criticised those attempting to portray the meeting as a secret political arrangement.

“It is, therefore, mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it,” he said.

Ortom further explained that engagements involving politicians and influential individuals should not automatically be viewed as evidence of hidden political schemes.

“Political consultations and engagements across party lines are neither strange nor secret conspiracies, particularly when they are driven by the larger interest of the people,” he stated.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the 2027 PDP ticket, Ortom made it clear that Aondoakaa remained the party’s candidate for the Benue governorship election.

“Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election,” Ortom declared.

He said Aondoakaa continued to enjoy the backing and confidence of the PDP leadership and members across the state.

Ortom also expressed optimism about Aondoakaa’s prospects if elected, pointing to his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges confronting Benue.

According to the former governor, the PDP candidate had the capacity to provide effective leadership and drive improvements in critical areas, including security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

He warned those behind the alleged replacement story to stop circulating what he described as fabricated claims capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party and among Aondoakaa’s supporters.

“Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements,” he cautioned.

Ortom called on PDP members, Aondoakaa’s supporters and other residents of Benue to disregard the report and concentrate on the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the controversy would not derail the PDP’s efforts to unite stakeholders and build a strong coalition of Benue people ahead of the election.

You may like