The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and pushing the country towards authoritarian rule.
The opposition party made the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong.
The PDP said a recent assessment by the Human Rights Foundation, which it claimed classified Nigeria as a fully authoritarian regime, reflected what it described as growing democratic challenges under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
According to the party, the assessment highlighted concerns over Nigeria’s electoral system, protection of dissent, democratic safeguards and institutional checks on executive power.
The PDP said the report, published through the foundation’s Tyranny Tracker platform, assessed countries based on indicators including institutional checks and balances, freedom of expression, treatment of opposition groups and the credibility of elections.
The party argued that several developments in Nigeria correspond with those indicators.
It cited recent criticism directed at Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the Catholic Church as an example of what it described as an increasingly hostile environment for dissenting views.
The PDP also accused the National Assembly of failing to provide effective oversight of the executive, alleging that lawmakers have not sufficiently challenged the administration on issues relating to implementation of the national budget and constitutional compliance.
The party further raised concerns about the 2027 general elections, alleging that actions by the government and its officials could undermine the competitiveness and credibility of the polls.
It accused the administration of “asphyxiating” opposition parties and alleged that security agencies were being used against political opponents. It also expressed concerns over what it described as increasing partisanship by electoral authorities.
The PDP called on the Tinubu administration to take steps to reduce political tensions and ensure that the country’s democratic institutions remain protected.
It also urged the President to approach the 2027 presidential election as an opportunity to protect both the democratic process and Nigeria’s stability.
According to the party, securing a presidential victory at the expense of a credible electoral process could ultimately harm the country.
The PDP urged Nigerians to continue demanding accountability from elected officials, describing public scrutiny of government as an essential part of democracy.
The allegations are part of the opposition party’s broader criticism of the Tinubu administration. The claims regarding the Human Rights Foundation’s assessment, however, were presented by the PDP and should not be treated as independently established findings without verification from the organisation itself.
