Get Guardian on GoogleFormer Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has warned President Bola Tinubu against actions capable of undermining opposition parties and truncating democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed concern over the growing political tension following the alleged disruption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign activities in Sokoto State.
He accused the government of allegedly using sponsored protests, intimidation and security agencies to frustrate opposition parties, warning that such actions could threaten Nigeria’s democratic process.
His comments followed allegations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that the Sokoto State Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) were working to frustrate the ADC’s planned campaign rally in the state.
Atiku, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, alleged that the party had been denied access to public facilities and logistical support, while protesters were being mobilised to create disorder and provide justification for imposing a curfew to stop the rally.
Reacting, Frank alleged that the mobilisation of protesters to disrupt opposition gatherings was becoming a recurring strategy across the country.
“At every opposition rally across the country, this has become their new protest strategy. They are also involving security agencies, particularly the DSS,” he said.
Frank urged Tinubu not to allow political desperation to undermine democratic institutions or restrict the political space available to opposition parties.
“Tinubu must not truncate this democracy with his desperation. Despite their denial, the facts on ground have shown clearly that they have a sinister plot against the opposition, and Nigerians will legally resist such moves vehemently,” he declared.
He also cautioned the Sokoto State Government and other state governments against allowing themselves to be used to frustrate opposition parties during the electioneering period.
According to him, state governments have a responsibility to protect democratic participation and ensure that all political parties enjoy equal opportunities to organise rallies, mobilise supporters and campaign within their jurisdictions.
The former APC spokesman called on the United States Government and other members of the international community to monitor developments in Nigeria and take appropriate diplomatic steps to prevent political violence and protect democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned that public officials and security personnel allegedly involved in actions aimed at undermining the constitutional rights of opposition parties would be held accountable.
“All those involved, including the security agencies, will be held responsible,” he said.
Frank urged Tinubu to ensure that federal institutions and security agencies remained politically neutral and were not deployed to intimidate political opponents or obstruct their lawful activities.
He insisted that opposition parties would not surrender their constitutional rights to participate in the democratic process because of threats, intimidation or political pressure.
Frank, who is also the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, warned against actions capable of escalating political tensions into violence.
He stressed that opposition parties must be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without provocation or obstruction, adding that attacks on their supporters or disruption of lawful political activities should attract appropriate legal consequences.
He, however, urged political actors to resist retaliatory violence, insisting that disagreements should be resolved through lawful and democratic channels.
The DSS has reportedly ordered an investigation into Atiku’s allegation that its officials were involved in recruiting protesters to disrupt the ADC rally.
Frank called on the President to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties, warning that Nigeria’s democracy must not become a system in which only the ruling party enjoys the freedom to campaign, organise and mobilise supporters.
