Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Saturday intensified criticism of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party state amid what he described as deliberate efforts to weaken opposition voices.
Tambuwal, who spoke shortly after the state congress of the African Democratic Congress in Sokoto, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of eroding democratic structures and deepening the hardship faced by citizens.
He alleged that opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, were being systematically destabilised to entrench political dominance.
According to him, there were growing indications of attempts to pressure political actors into backing President Tinubu as a sole candidate in future elections, a development he said contradicts democratic ideals.
Addressing party supporters, the former governor positioned the ADC as a rising political platform capable of restoring balance to Nigeria’s political space.
He noted that the party was expanding its reach nationwide, with Sokoto playing a strategic role in its growth.
Tambuwal also commended party members for conducting what he described as credible congresses across ward, local government, and state levels, saying the process reflected the party’s commitment to internal democracy.
On governance, he faulted the Federal Government’s handling of key national challenges, citing worsening insecurity, economic strain, and rising unemployment across the country.
He further alleged that the ruling party was already laying groundwork to influence voters ahead of the 2027 general elections through financial inducements, urging Nigerians to resist vote-buying.
Tambuwal also raised concerns over what he termed attempts to suppress dissent and influence democratic institutions, including the judiciary, warning that such actions could undermine fair political competition.
Despite the challenges, he maintained that opposition forces would continue to defend Nigeria’s multiparty system, expressing confidence that the ADC would consolidate its support base and emerge as a strong contender in future elections.