One Party State: Tinubu Hiding The Truth – ADP
By Tom Okpe
The Action Democratic Party, ADP, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hiding facts over growing insinuations that the country is drifting towards a one Party State, while weakening the opposition Political Parties.
The Party also said Tinubu’s rhetorics does not flow with his actions as there is exodus of defection to the ruling Party on daily basis, dismembering the political space and claiming, has nothing to hides.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, to commemorate annulment of the famous June 12. 1993 general election in Nigeria, the ADP National Chairman, Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani, dismissed the President’s Democracy Day remarks to the National Assembly as insincere, ldentifing his denial to a bizarre court testimony in Kwara State where a defendant admitted, “dismembering a victim but, denied killing her.”
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He expressed concern that Tinubu, despite his background as a democrat, appears disconnected from reality due to being surrounded by cronies who shield him from alternative viewpoints.
He said: “The recent comments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC regarding the exodus of opposition Party members, suggesting that it is merely a case of individuals ‘jumping from a sinking ship,’ are both shallow and undemocratic. This response is not only dismissive but reflects a troubling disregard for the principles of democracy in Nigeria.
“Two years ago, few would have anticipated that Tinubu, who once positioned himself as a champion of democratic values, would lead efforts that undermines the very foundations of democracy.
“His administration’s actions, which include state-sponsored harassment of opposition members, signal a significant departure from democratic norms and raise concerns about the health of Nigeria’s political landscape.
“This situation is both laughable and unfortunate, as it reveals a stark contrast between the promises of democratic governance and the reality of political repression.
“Tinubu is dismembering the political space and claiming he is not killing it. His rhetoric does not align with his actions. He said he is praying that opposition Parties remains in disarray. That is unacceptable. That should not come from leader of the Nation, he should be a father to all, not someone wishing disunity on his political rivals and placing only his people at advantageous positions.”
Sani warned that undermining Nigeria’s multi-Party democracy could push frustrated citizens towards dangerous, undemocratic alternatives.
He also accused President Tinubu of orchestrating a deliberate ‘State Capture’ by positioning his business allies and members of his ethnic group in key sectors such as Oil and Gas, Fnance, and National Security, areas that directly influence control of the political landscape saying; “This concentration of power in the hands of few loyalists is a serious threat to democracy. We have invested too much in this democracy to watch it go down the drain again.”
The ADP Chairman, called on Nigerians to resist any attempt to erode democratic institutions, urging President Tinubu to adopt a more inclusive approach to governance that respects the existence and growth of opposition Parties.
On the Nation’s economy, Engr Sani said Nigeria is a Nation in crisis, not for lack of wealth, but Will.
“Nigeria is not poor. Nigeria is poorly managed. 133 million Nigerians suffer from multidimensional poverty, NBS, 2022. 20 million children are out of school. Youth unemployment is over 33%. Yearly budgets run into trillions, yet the people remain in darkness, hunger, and fear.
“Who is answering for this betrayal? Who is held to account, when children drop out of school, when hospitals have no drugs, and mothers die in childbirth, due to failed infrastructure,” he queried.
“The Electoral System Is Broken; We Demand Reform Technology without integrity is high-tech rigging. The failure of electronic voting in 2023 demands radical electoral reform.
“The ADP demands that, an independent audit of INEC’s 2023 operations; Swift passage of the Electoral Offences Commission Bill; Legal guarantees for real-time result transmission and public access and a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act, to strengthen checks and transparency,” he added.
