Presidency dismisses fears of one-party state, says democracy thriving under Tinubu

The Presidency has dismissed concerns raised by opposition figures and civil society activists over recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that democracy remains strong and vibrant under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement released on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the government described allegations of creeping authoritarianism and efforts to create a one-party state as “baseless and exaggerated.”

Onanuga was responding to criticism following a wave of defections, including the public endorsement of President Tinubu by Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former PDP vice-presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and other key political figures from Delta and Rivers States.

He said: “These developments have clearly unsettled the opposition, whose so-called grand coalition has failed to gain traction.

“However, it is mischievous and irresponsible to suggest that democracy is under threat because politicians are exercising their right to freedom of association.”

The Presidency argued that accusations of bribery, blackmail, and weaponization of state institutions to force defections exist only in the “idle minds” of disgruntled politicians.

It insisted that President Tinubu is focused on reversing years of economic mismanagement and has no hand in the internal crises plaguing opposition parties.

“It is certainly not President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties,” Onanuga said.

He further criticized what he called the hypocrisy of opposition figures who celebrated the reported defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but are now decrying political shifts favouring the APC.

His words: “Freedom of association and freedom of choice are fundamental pillars of democracy.

“Those joining the APC do so of their own volition, inspired by the administration’s reform agenda for Nigeria’s future.”

Reaffirming President Tinubu’s commitment to democratic ideals, the statement pointed to Tinubu’s long-standing history of strengthening opposition forces that eventually unseated a sitting government in 2015.

“Under President Tinubu, democracy remains strong, and the multiparty system will continue to thrive,” Onanuga asserted.

The Presidency urged Nigerians to support the ongoing efforts to protect democratic values and to reject alarmist narratives aimed at delegitimizing the choices of citizens.