ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Secretary of its Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of destroying democracy in Nigeria, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) deliberately structured the electoral process to weaken opposition parties.
Galadima made the allegation on Saturday in Abuja during the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirants’ summit, where he also claimed that key provisions of the electoral framework were designed to frustrate political competition.
He further alleged that the APC had constituted a committee long before the electoral bill was formally presented to the National Assembly, suggesting what he described as a pre-determined legislative process.
According to him, the speed at which the Electoral Act was signed into law raises questions about whether the President fully engaged with its content before assent.
“By the time the National Assembly deliberated and finalised on the draft electoral bill, within an hour, the President was signing the bill,” he said.
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“Did he study that bill? So, it means they have already prepared a bill before him,” he added.
Galadima argued that one of the most significant aspects of the law, in his view, was its restriction of candidate selection methods to either consensus or direct primaries, which he said places opposition parties at a disadvantage.
He maintained that while consensus processes may be difficult for opposition parties, direct primaries could expose them to manipulation and internal disruption.
“I want to say, without fear of being contradicted, that no political party in the opposition can do direct primaries and come out completely clean,” he said.
He also expressed confidence in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as a growing political platform capable of challenging the APC in future elections.
Galadima urged opposition parties to prioritise unity and internal cohesion, warning that disunity could weaken their electoral chances.
He further advocated adherence to party leadership decisions, stressing that stakeholders must rally around candidates that emerge through agreed processes to strengthen their chances at the polls.