The former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling APC of taking actions capable of destabilizing Nigeria’s democratic system.
He also called on the United States government led by President Donald Trump to intervene to safeguard democracy in Nigeria.
Frank made this known in a statement on Thursday.
Recall that INEC on Wednesday derecognized David Mark’s leadership of the ADC pending the determination of a suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Frank, in a reaction, alleged that interference in opposition parties, now extending to the ADC, poses a serious threat to democratic governance and could “set Nigeria on fire” if not urgently addressed.
“INEC and the APC-led government appear to be taking steps that threaten the very foundation of our democracy,” he said, adding that the pattern of events across opposition parties suggests a coordinated attempt to weaken political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He warned that the trend mirrors developments during the regime of former head of state Sani Abacha, when democratic institutions were suppressed.
“This pattern is reminiscent of the tactics employed during the era of General Sani Abacha,” Frank stated.
The activist expressed concern over the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that recent developments point to a drift towards authoritarianism.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, through recent actions, evoked concerns of a return to authoritarian tendencies.
“His desperation to retain power by all means raises serious questions about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria,” he said.
Frank claimed that internal crises within major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had been influenced by external forces and warned that the situation was now spreading to the ADC.
He further alleged that the judiciary was being deployed to frustrate opposition parties through questionable rulings.
“The courts and the judiciary have been used to thwart democratic processes with frivolous decisions,” he said, calling on the international community to take action against what he described as violations of judicial integrity.
“Nigeria is about to head into anarchy and a crisis that might be difficult to curtail,” he said, adding that such developments have historically led to political upheavals, including civil wars in other countries.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians, including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and traditional rulers, among others, to speak up and defend our democracy. Silence at this critical moment is not an option.
“I urge the international community to remain vigilant… particularly the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to encourage and support the preservation of democratic values in Nigeria,” he added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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