The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing an existential crisis, alleging that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is deploying state power and institutions to intimidate opposition figures and compel political defections.
Tanko made the remarks during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, describing recent political developments as a “multi-threat” to Nigeria’s multi-party system that could push the country toward authoritarian rule if left unchecked.
The Presidency has previously rejected similar allegations, insisting that President Tinubu is not undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and that anti-graft agencies operate independently.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the claims by opposition figures as attempts to find scapegoats for political failures, stressing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association.
Speaking on the state of the country’s democracy, Tanko said: “Let me just start by saying that, for the record, the eminent Nigerians who signed that document are well aware of the history of this country. And if they come out to say that it is a threat to democracy, in fact, it is a multi-threat to the multi-democratic system in Nigeria.”
He acknowledged that ruling parties have historically dominated large numbers of states but argued that the current situation represents a dangerous departure from past practices.
“We are aware, and honourably so, that almost all the political parties in Nigeria have been infiltrated. We have been talking about this for a continuous period of time,” he said.
Now, if you are making references to a certain period in our country when the PDP controlled a large number of states, yes, probably it happened. But when you look at the processes then, they are different from what we have at the moment.”
Tanko warned against repeating past political excesses, saying such actions would weaken democratic institutions.
“Even if at that time it was wrong, it does not mean that because you are in power now, you repeat the same mistake that other people have already done. That does not grow the system,” he said.
“This will create a situation where democracy in Nigeria is being put on a dangerous path — a path where we may not even have democracy if we continue like this. And that is the fear,” he added.
Tanko said the current exercise of power has eroded public confidence in democratic governance.
“Democracy is the best form of government that we all know, but the process we are being subjected to now is making it look very ugly and totally unacceptable to Nigerians,” he said.
He cautioned against what he described as the gradual conversion of Nigeria into a one-party state.
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