The opposition party urged Nigerians, democratic institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners to speak out against what it called the erosion of justice, the rule of law, credible elections, and citizens’ right to participate in governance
By Titilope Adako
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Nigerians to resist what it described as a plot by President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose a one-party system on the country.
In a statement marking the 2025 Democracy Day celebration, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accused the APC-led government of trying to destroy democratic values and institutions in Nigeria.
The opposition party urged Nigerians, democratic institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners to speak out against what it called the erosion of justice, the rule of law, credible elections, and citizens’ right to participate in governance.
“The Peoples Democratic Party calls on Nigerians to use the occasion of June 12 Democracy Day to re-awaken and strengthen their resistance to the anti-democratic designs of the All Progressives Congress, particularly the plot to foist a despotic one-party regime in Nigeria,” the statement read.
It added, “The PDP urges Nigerians, institutions of democracy, organised civil society, development partners and all lovers of democracy to unite in speaking out against the stifling of democratic tenets—justice, rule of law, credible electoral process, and the right of citizens to freely participate in politics and governance.”
The PDP accused the Tinubu administration of using state institutions to suppress the opposition, manipulate democratic processes, clamp down on the media, and weaponise poverty to subdue the people.
“The APC government continues to brazenly violate the constitution, emasculate opposition voices, manipulate institutions of democracy, and undermine citizens’ liberties in a desperate bid to turn Nigeria into a personal estate for a few individuals in power,” the party alleged.
The party also cited the political crisis in Rivers State, where elected officials were suspended and replaced with a sole administrator, as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
It said June 12 represents the people’s struggle against oppressive and lawless governance, adding that the day also symbolises the desire for a system based on justice, equity, credible elections, and national unity—values championed by Chief MKO Abiola.
The PDP called on the National Assembly, the Judiciary, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to assert their constitutional independence and act strictly in line with the rule of law and the will of the people.
“These are the democratic values which Nigerians enjoyed under the Peoples Democratic Party. Painfully, all have eluded the nation since the emergence of the APC,” the statement added.
The PDP demanded that the APC government respect the legacy of Chief Abiola, uphold the rule of law, ensure a free press, commit to credible elections, and reverse what it called poverty-inducing policies.
It congratulated Nigerians on the 2025 Democracy Day and urged them not to lose faith in democracy.
“Remain law-abiding and continue to rally with the PDP as we reposition ahead of the 2027 elections to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the APC,” the party said.
KoikiMedia reports that June 12 was officially designated as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to honour Moshood Abiola, widely regarded as the rightful winner of the 1993 presidential election.
The 2025 commemoration marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria.
Join on us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
koimedia Bringing the World Closer to Your 🌍 Doorstep