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The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has called on the international community, including the United Nations, European Union, African Union, Commonwealth, United States, United Kingdom and France, to take stronger diplomatic measures to protect democratic institutions and human rights in Nigeria.
The party also called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, opposition parties, the media and other democratic groups to unite against what it described as growing authoritarian tendencies under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The APM’s position followed a report published on the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) Tyranny Tracker platform, which, according to the party, classified Nigeria as a full authoritarian state under President Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM said the report reinforced its longstanding concerns over what it described as the erosion of democratic safeguards and growing restrictions on opposition activities and dissent.
The party alleged that Nigeria’s constitutional institutions had increasingly come under executive influence, while security, anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary were being used to intimidate or suppress opposition figures and critical voices.
“The report confirms APM’s position that under President Tinubu, Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and democratic institutions have been captured by executive authoritarianism,” the party said.
The APM also expressed concern over the country’s worsening insecurity, alleging that large numbers of Nigerians had been killed or abducted by terrorists and other criminal groups since the Tinubu administration came to power.
It further alleged that security agencies had been used to suppress protests and dissent, with citizens arrested, detained or prosecuted for criticising the government.
On press freedom, the party said journalists had also faced harassment and detention in connection with critical reporting and coverage of pro-democracy protests.
The APM accused the government of restricting opposition parties through alleged intimidation, harassment and prosecution of opposition figures, as well as restrictions on access to venues and other platforms for political mobilisation.
The party also raised concerns over the independence and credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It alleged that the commission had interfered in the internal affairs of opposition parties and, in some instances, failed to comply with court orders favourable to opposition groups.
The APM said the development had contributed to growing public concerns about the ability of INEC, as presently constituted, to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
The party equally accused the APC-controlled National Assembly of failing to adequately perform its constitutional responsibility of checking executive excesses, describing the legislature as increasingly compromised.
Beyond political concerns, the APM criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that multiple taxes, levies and revenue-collection practices were placing additional pressure on households and businesses.
The party warned that the combination of economic hardship, insecurity and what it described as the weakening of democratic institutions could trigger a broader national crisis if not urgently addressed.
“The APM is worried that the current situation in Nigeria, if not addressed, might lead to a crisis of monumental proportion capable of derailing our nation’s democracy and triggering a large-scale humanitarian disaster,” it said.
Against this backdrop, the party called on the international community to consider targeted diplomatic measures against Nigerian officials whom it accused of undermining democracy.
Such measures, it said, could include visa restrictions, asset freezes and other sanctions against individuals found to be responsible for serious violations of democratic principles and human rights.
The APM also urged Nigerians to use all lawful and democratic means available to resist authoritarianism and participate actively in the 2027 elections.
It called on voters to make the 2027 general elections an opportunity to elect a government committed to the rule of law, democratic accountability, economic prosperity and national stability.
The party said it would continue to mobilise Nigerians around what it described as the need to protect democracy and restore confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
