The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to apply the same democratic principles he demonstrated internationally to Nigeria’s domestic political landscape. This follows Nigeria’s decision to grant asylum to Guinea-Bissau’s opposition presidential candidate, Fernando Dia Da Costa, after a controversial coup and disputed elections.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar and his aide, the asylum was granted to protect Da Costa from life-threatening dangers and to support Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process.
The PDP’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, argued that similar protective measures should be extended to Nigeria’s opposition. He accused elements within the government of orchestrating disruptions in opposition parties and pressuring elected officials to switch to the ruling party.
The opposition party emphasized that while they don’t expect direct assistance from the president, he has a constitutional responsibility to maintain an open and competitive political environment. The PDP warned against Nigeria drifting toward what they characterized as a one-party system, arguing that the president cannot champion democracy regionally while allegedly tolerating practices at home that undermine democratic institutions.
