One party state: Presidency accuses Atiku of raising false accusation against judiciary, FG

The Federal Government has accused the leading opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of disseminating false assertions against President Senator Bola Tinubu and the judiciary, insinuating the potential establishment of a one-party state in the nation.

In an official statement issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the government asserted that both the PDP and Atiku Abubakar, in their respective statements, disregarded caution as they launched attacks on the judiciary’s integrity and made groundless allegations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The government contended that the PDP and Atiku, following unfavorable court rulings for some of their elected governors, exhibited overt desperation by attempting to link their setbacks to President Tinubu and the judiciary, a crucial institution in Nigeria.

Importantly, the statement highlighted that Atiku and the PDP failed to exhibit any introspection before making weighty, speculative, reckless, and irresponsible allegations against President Tinubu.

“While refraining from advocating for the judiciary, we urge Nigerians to dismiss the malicious allegations by the PDP and its candidate, accusing President Tinubu of silencing the opposition and corrupting the judiciary. The assertion that he plans to establish a one-party state by appointing ‘loyalists’ as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) is baseless,” stated the Federal Government.

The government emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to democracy, affirming that, during his tenure as president, he did not interfere with judicial decisions. It cited instances where the judiciary ruled against the ruling party, demonstrating President Tinubu’s respect for the rule of law.

Addressing allegations of imposing a one-party state, the government stressed that such claims were mere fabrications intended to needlessly stoke tensions and create discontent in the country. It discredited these allegations as products of the PDP and Atiku’s imagination.

The statement contrasted President Tinubu’s democratic credentials with Atiku Abubakar’s admission of electoral malpractices in the South West in 2003, questioning the credibility of Atiku’s criticism. It also questioned Atiku’s silence on court decisions favoring the PDP in previous elections.

TOnhe government urged Atiku and the PDP to desist from their campaign of defamation and misinformation against the judiciary. It emphasized that court judgments are based on the law and evidence, not on sentiments, emotions, or political affiliations. The government deemed the opposition’s actions irresponsible and detrimental to the country’s democratic processes.