By Diana Omueza
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) warns against political monopoly, stating that if left unchecked, it will suppress opposition parties and Nigeria’s deep-rooted democracy.
ADP National Chairman Yabagi Sani made this statement on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
Mr. Sani paid tribute to MKO leader Abiola and countless others whose sacrifices laid the foundation for the country’s democratic era.
He stated that June 12 is a historic day and a reminder for the government and Nigerians to reflect and question the country’s democratic path and future. “On June 12, we gather not only to celebrate a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey but also to question the current state of that democracy.”
June 12 is more than a holiday; it is a living symbol of our collective resistance to tyranny, our quest for justice, and our tireless pursuit of popular government.
The ADP, like other committed democrats, cannot proclaim itself a full democracy, as the way it governs and conducts elections leaves much to be desired.
Today, we face a growing danger that reflects the same conditions that led to the June 12 crisis: the unhealthy and undemocratic takeover of the state apparatus by the ruling political class. “Rather than operating as a governing party within a democratic framework, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears increasingly determined to establish a political monopoly, suppress the opposition, silence dissent, and consolidate its power at all costs,” he stated.
Sani affirmed that it was important for the government, political parties, stakeholders, and Nigerians to unite to preserve the country’s 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule at all costs. He recalled how, following the annulment of the June 12 elections, politicians from diverse backgrounds, including President Bola Tinubu, joined forces to fight vehemently for the restoration of democracy. This collective effort, Sani asserted, ultimately forced the military to cede power to the civilian population in May 1999. Sani emphasized that opposition parties should not be repressed, manipulated, or marginalized, but rather encouraged to support a healthy democracy. “Today, we are witnessing a deliberate suppression of multi-party democracy and, consequently, a dangerous trend toward de facto one-party rule. This is not democracy. It is domination. It is a toxic political environment where choice is eroded. The opposition must act as a shadow government and as the people’s conscience, reminding the government of its strengths and weaknesses,” he stated. Sani urged the government to address the challenges facing the citizenry, such as the multidimensional poverty reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, the alarming number of out-of-school children, and youth unemployment. He also urged the government to reform the electoral system and enact the Electoral Offences Commission Act. The ADP representative cautioned Nigerians against portraying the country and the government negatively and urged them to hold the government accountable for its actions and inactions. He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, optimistic, and patriotic.
