Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has described President Bola Tinubu’s recent comments on a one-party state as “strange and concerning.”
Ologbondiyan stated this on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, in reaction to Tinubu’s remarks at the National Assembly the day before.
While addressing a joint session of lawmakers on Thursday, Tinubu dismissed claims that his administration was working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. However, he also expressed satisfaction that opposition parties were in disarray, saying, “To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of your panic, it rings in error.”
Ologbondiyan criticised the statement, saying it revealed a troubling mindset about political competition and democracy.
“We never expected Mr. President to come to the public and declare that he is behind a plan to establish a one-party system, but his comments don’t help either,” he said. “Instead of denying, we expected the President to push for electoral reforms that will strengthen our democracy.”
He also accused the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly frustrating the registration of new political parties.
“There are people who have fulfilled all legal requirements to register political parties, and they’ve been told to come collect their certificate. Yet, day after day, that certificate is not issued,” Ologbondiyan said.
He added that some members of Tinubu’s own cabinet have spoken in ways that suggest a desire to weaken opposition and entrench the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the dominant force.
Ologbondiyan urged the President to focus on democratic reforms rather than dismissing legitimate concerns about the shrinking political space in Nigeria.
