Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank, has warned President Bola Tinubu against actions capable of undermining democracy and restricting opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Frank accused the ruling party of allegedly using sponsored protests, intimidation and security agencies to frustrate opposition parties, citing the controversy surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign activities in Sokoto State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the former APC spokesman said the alleged mobilisation of protesters to disrupt opposition gatherings was becoming a recurring feature of political activities across the country.
He was reacting to allegations by former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the Sokoto State Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) were working to frustrate the party’s campaign rally in the state.
Atiku had, on Tuesday, accused the state government of denying the ADC access to public facilities and logistical support for its campaign activities.
He also alleged that the DSS was recruiting protesters to cause disorder in Sokoto and create grounds for imposing a curfew that could prevent the rally from holding.
The former vice-president specifically claimed that some protesters had been assembled at an office behind Zenith Bank on Koko Road, with trucks deployed to strategic locations in the city.
Reacting, Frank alleged that similar tactics were being deployed against opposition parties in other parts of 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.
He warned Tinubu against actions capable of weakening democratic institutions and shrinking the political space for 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.
Frank also cautioned the Sokoto State Government and other state governments against allowing themselves to be used to obstruct opposition parties from exercising their constitutional rights.
He said state governments had a responsibility to guarantee equal opportunities for political parties to organise rallies, mobilise supporters and conduct campaigns within their jurisdictions.
The former APC spokesman further called on the United States and other members of the international community to monitor political developments in Nigeria and take appropriate diplomatic steps to prevent violence and protect democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned that public officials and security personnel found to have participated in activities aimed at violating 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, warning against their alleged deployment to intimidate political opponents or obstruct lawful political activities.
He insisted that opposition parties would not surrender their constitutional rights because of threats, intimidation or political pressure.
The former APC spokesman, who is also the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, however, cautioned opposition supporters against resorting to violence in response to alleged intimidation.
He urged political actors to channel their grievances through lawful and democratic means, warning that retaliatory violence could further heighten political tensions.
