The Presidency has come out strongly to refute widespread allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is steering Nigeria towards authoritarianism or a one-party state, describing such claims as unfounded and grossly exaggerated. This follows a series of high-profile defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which have fuelled concerns among political observers and opposition figures about the future of Nigeria’s democracy, especially as the 2027 general elections approach.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, addressed the matter directly, stating that democracy in Nigeria is not under any threat and that the accusations of creeping authoritarianism are nothing more than alarmist propaganda. He emphasized that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency has been aimed at undermining democratic institutions, weakening the opposition, or engineering a one-party state. Onanuga insisted that recent defections to the APC were made of the politicians’ own free will, not through coercion, bribery, or blackmail as some have alleged.
He further argued that the opposition’s inability to maintain internal cohesion or mount a credible challenge cannot be blamed on President Tinubu or the APC. According to the Presidency, it is not the President’s responsibility to organize or strengthen opposition parties, and the government has not engaged in any actions to dismantle democracy. Onanuga also questioned the sincerity of critics who previously celebrated defections from the APC to other parties but now express outrage when the political tide turns in favour of the ruling party.
The Presidency’s response comes amid a backdrop of criticism from figures such as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently accused the administration of intolerance and insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Nigerians, and from civil society groups who have raised concerns about the handling of political crises and press freedom. However, the government maintains that these accusations are politically motivated and lack any substantive basis in the administration’s policies or actions.
In summary, the Tinubu administration has categorically denied any move towards authoritarian rule, asserting that Nigeria’s democracy remains robust and that the rights of politicians to associate freely are being respected. The Presidency insists that the current political realignments are part of the normal democratic process and not evidence of a threat to Nigeria’s democratic order.
