Timi Frank to Tinubu: Don’t truncate democracy in Nigeria, free oppositions

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, warned President Bola Tinubu against what he described as attempts to undermine opposition parties and truncate democracy through alleged state-sponsored protests, intimidation and misuse of security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank, who expressed concern over the growing political tension following the alleged disruption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign activities in Sokoto State, said the use of sponsored protesters and security operatives against opposition parties could threaten Nigeria’s democratic process.

He spoke against the backdrop of allegations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, that the Sokoto State Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) were working to frustrate the party’s planned campaign rally in the state.

Atiku, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, alleged that the ADC had been denied access to public facilities and logistical support, while protesters were being mobilised to create disorder and provide grounds for imposing a curfew to stop the rally.

Reacting, Frank alleged that the mobilisation of protesters to disrupt opposition gatherings was becoming a recurring strategy across the country.

He said: “At every opposition rally across the country, this has become their new protest strategy. They are also involving security agencies, particularly the DSS.”

Frank warned President Tinubu against actions capable of undermining democratic institutions and narrowing the political space for opposition parties.

“Tinubu must not truncate this democracy with his desperation. Despite their denial, the facts on ground have shown clearly that they have a sinister plot against the opposition, and Nigerians will legally resist such moves vehemently,” he declared.

He also cautioned the Sokoto State Government and other state governments against allowing themselves to be used to frustrate opposition parties during the electioneering period.

According to him, state governments have a responsibility to protect democratic participation and ensure that all political parties enjoy equal opportunities to organise rallies, mobilise supporters and campaign within their jurisdictions.

Frank further called on the United States Government and other members of the international community to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and take appropriate diplomatic steps to prevent political violence and protect democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He warned that public officials and security personnel found to have participated in actions aimed at undermining the constitutional rights of opposition parties would be held accountable.

“All those involved, including the security agencies, will be held responsible,” he said.

The former APC spokesman urged Tinubu to ensure that federal institutions and security agencies remained politically neutral and were not deployed to intimidate political opponents or obstruct their lawful activities.

He maintained that opposition parties would not surrender their constitutional rights to participate in the democratic process because of threats, intimidation or political pressure.

Frank, who is also the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, cautioned against any action capable of escalating political tensions into violence.

He stressed that opposition parties must be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without provocation or obstruction, adding that any attack on their supporters or disruption of lawful political activities should attract appropriate legal consequences.

He, however, urged political actors to resist the temptation of retaliatory violence, insisting that disagreements should be addressed through lawful and democratic channels.

The DSS has reportedly ordered an investigation into Atiku’s allegation that its officials were involved in recruiting protesters to disrupt the ADC rally.

Frank called on the President to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties, warning that Nigeria’s democracy must not be reduced to a system in which only the ruling party enjoys the freedom to campaign, organise and mobilise supporters.