Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and stop what he described as growing attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democratic system and impose a one-party state.
In a strongly worded statement, Adeyanju urged the President to rein in “anti-democratic forces” within and around his administration, alleging that some actors are using the courts to frustrate opposition parties and prevent them from fielding candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, such actions are fundamentally undemocratic and could damage the integrity of Nigeria’s political system. He warned that advisers suggesting that a strong opposition poses a threat to the President’s re-election chances are, in reality, working against his long-term political interests.
Adeyanju further expressed concern over what he described as a sustained effort to weaken opposition parties, citing developments within major political platforms such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He noted that these trends point to a broader attempt to consolidate power and limit political pluralism in the country.
The activist cautioned that any move toward a one-party state would pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, undermine public trust in democratic institutions, and attract scrutiny from the international community.
He also called on former Presidents and respected statesmen to speak out against any perceived erosion of democratic values, describing the current moment as a defining period for Nigeria’s political future.
“This is a critical time for our democracy,” Adeyanju said, urging all well-meaning Nigerians to stand firm in defense of democratic choice and political diversity.
