The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of stifling free expression and deliberately weakening opposition parties as part of a broader political strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
Reacting to a recent statement by Amnesty International warning of an increasingly hostile environment for dissent in Nigeria, the PDP said the concerns raised by the rights group confirm what the opposition has long maintained but which, according to the party, has often been dismissed as partisan exaggeration.
Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, praised Amnesty International for lending international credibility to what he described as persistent democratic abuses under the current administration.
According to Ememobong, the APC-led government treats criticism as a threat rather than a contribution to governance.
He alleged that individuals and political actors who refuse to align with the ruling party are routinely subjected to intimidation and pressure.
“This government does not tolerate dissent,” he said. “Any opposing view is seen as an enemy position, not as constructive engagement. That is why there is a deliberate attempt to coerce politicians across party lines into joining the APC.”
Ememobong further claimed that the ruling party has extended its influence into virtually all major political parties, with the goal of clearing the field for President Bola Tinubu to seek re-election without serious competition in 2027.
He pointed to internal disputes and divisions within opposition parties such as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Labour Party, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as evidence of what he described as systematic interference.
Despite these challenges, the PDP spokesperson expressed confidence that the opposition would regroup and regain strength. He said the party is already undergoing internal reforms aimed at repositioning it as a credible alternative.
“There is a rebirth happening,” Ememobong stated. “The PDP is renewing itself, and the opposition as a whole will rise again.”
He also expressed disappointment with President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the president was once celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s democratic struggles while in opposition.
“Those democratic credentials are being eroded,” he said. “The president should reflect on what it means to lose that legacy while also failing to deliver meaningful results in office.”
Ememobong argued that Nigerians are no longer swayed by campaign promises but are increasingly focused on the realities of governance, particularly the growing economic hardship faced by citizens.
“The people are watching performance, not rhetoric,” he said. “What they see today is widespread impoverishment.”
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He concluded by asserting that the next general election would not simply be a contest between political parties, but a broader confrontation between the ruling APC and the Nigerian populace.
