Tinubu Doesn’t Want Opposition To Exist – Obi

Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused the government of President Bola Tinubu of  suppressing opposition politics, warning that Nigeria’s democratic space is shrinking.

Obi, who stated this when he appeared on ARISE PrimeTime yesterday, said the refusal to grant his party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), access to major venues in Abuja for its planned national convention was a troubling sign of democratic decline.

“That shows you the integrity of our democracy. If you are denied simple things like venue and everything, it shows where the country is drifting to.

“We are a party when we have freedom of association, everything enshrined in our constitution, and yet a party that is supposed to be the main opposition party cannot allow it to exist,” he stated.

He alleged that the government was not playing by democratic rules, saying there appeared to be a deliberate effort to weaken or suppress opposition parties.

Despite the setbacks, Obi said the ADC convention would proceed as scheduled, dismissing concerns over logistical and legal uncertainties surrounding the event. “It will hold. I will be there.”

The former governor also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly its withdrawal of recognition from the faction of the party leadership led by David Mark.

He said the move was questionable and inconsistent, noting that the same leadership had previously been recognised.

Obi further warned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions, including the judiciary, were increasingly being drawn into political controversies. He lamented what he described as the erosion of public trust, saying the system was being reduced to a mess.

On the broader political climate, Obi argued that many of the crises within opposition parties were not organic but were instigated by external forces.

He claimed that such interference was designed to destabilise opposition platforms and limit their effectiveness ahead of future elections.

He further stressed the need for a united opposition, calling for a coalition built on competence, capacity and sacrifice rather than transactional politics. According to him, the 2027 elections would present a stark choice between the Nigerian people and those in power.

“It is not about me. It is about the integrity of our democratic process and building a better society for our children,” he said

He also defended his history of moving across political parties, stating that he would continue to reject any system that fails to uphold fairness and transparency. “If I have to move again, I will. I will not be part of a broken system,” he added.