The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned President Bola Tinubu against pursuing victory in the 2027 presidential election at the expense of Nigeria’s democratic system.
The party gave the warning in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, on Saturday, 8 August, 2026.
The PDP said the 2027 contest would determine both who occupies the presidency and the condition of the country after the election.
It made the comment while reacting to a Human Rights Foundation assessment that classified Nigeria as a fully authoritarian state under the APC-led Federal Government.
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The party said the assessment, published on the foundation’s Tyranny Tracker platform, confirmed what Nigerians had experienced under the Tinubu administration.
It cited faulty elections, limited protection for dissent, weakened democratic safeguards and poor checks on executive power as signs of authoritarian rule.
PDP questions 2027 election
The party said the conduct of the 2027 election had become one of its major concerns.
It alleged that the election was being prepared as a formality that would not properly represent voters’ choices at the ballot box.
The PDP also alleged the suppression of opposition groups, the use of security agencies against political opponents and signs of bias by the electoral body.
It further criticised political statements made by President Tinubu and people working with him, saying such comments could worsen political tensions.
The party said the administration should take steps to reduce tensions linked to the actions of its officials and political supporters.
It warned that an attempt to secure the presidency at all costs could have serious consequences for the country.
“The President must realise that there are two contests embedded in the 2027 Presidential elections-the presidency and the country,” the PDP said.
“An attempt to focus on winning the former at all costs may result in the loss of the latter; and only a free, fair, credible and peaceful contest can guarantee a win for both coveted prizes.”
The PDP also asked Nigerians to keep demanding accountability from leaders at every level.
Party cites attacks on Onaiyekan
The party used recent criticism directed at Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Catholic Church and Christianity as an example of what it called a lack of freedom of speech.
It alleged that officials of the administration had used “uncivilised and uncouth media attacks” against the Catholic cleric and the church.
The PDP said the incident was one of several developments that, in its view, showed that Nigerians could not freely express their views under the administration.
It also criticised the National Assembly over its oversight of the executive arm of government.
The party questioned how the Federal Government could fail to execute the Appropriation Act for three years and still receive commendation from the legislature.
It said parliament could not provide credible oversight where it ignored or disrespected the Constitution and its own standing rules during important legislative activities.
The PDP’s position came from its response to the Human Rights Foundation’s assessment, which rated Nigeria poorly across the major areas used in its review.
The foundation’s assessment parameters include institutional checks and balances, freedom of speech, treatment of opposition groups and the credibility of elections.
The PDP said those areas match the features commonly used to identify authoritarian systems, which it defined as rule by a dictator and a small group or a single party, with weak institutional controls and limited freedoms.
The party said Nigerians should continue to demand accountability from their leaders because it is a basic part of democracy.
It also maintained that a free, fair, credible and peaceful 2027 election would be necessary to protect both the presidency and the country.
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