- Timi Frank accused INEC and APC of undermining democracy
- He likened current developments to the Sani Abacha era
- He urged the US and key Nigerian institutions to intervene
A former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has raised alarm over what he described as actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling party that could destabilise Nigeria’s democratic system.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Frank accused both INEC and the APC-led government of undermining democratic institutions, warning that recent developments could have far-reaching consequences if not urgently addressed.
He also called on the United States government, led by Donald Trump, to intervene in order to safeguard democracy in Nigeria.
Frank’s reaction follows INEC’s decision to derecognise the leadership of David Mark within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pending the outcome of a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Responding to the development, Frank alleged that interference in opposition parties—now extending to the ADC—poses a serious threat to democratic governance. He warned that such actions could “set Nigeria on fire” if left unchecked.
“INEC and the APC-led government appear to be taking steps that threaten the very foundation of our democracy,” he said, adding that recent events suggest a coordinated effort to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank further argued that the trend mirrors tactics used during the regime of Sani Abacha, a period widely associated with the suppression of democratic institutions.
“This pattern is reminiscent of the tactics employed during the era of General Sani Abacha,” he stated.
He also expressed concern over the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that recent developments indicate a drift towards authoritarianism.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, through recent actions, evoked concerns of a return to authoritarian tendencies. His desperation to retain power by all means raises serious questions about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria,” Frank said.
The activist claimed that internal crises within major opposition parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party Nigeria, Social Democratic Party Nigeria (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—may have been influenced by external forces, warning that the situation is now spreading to the ADC.
He further alleged that the judiciary is being used to frustrate opposition parties through questionable rulings, describing some court decisions as frivolous and damaging to democratic processes.
Frank called on key national institutions and stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), as well as traditional rulers, to speak out in defence of democracy.
“Nigeria is about to head into anarchy and a crisis that might be difficult to curtail,” he warned, noting that similar developments in other countries have historically led to political instability and conflict.
He urged the international community to remain vigilant, particularly calling on the United States to support the preservation of democratic values in Nigeria.