The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu. The party wants him to caution his cabinet members and supporters. They are allegedly sponsoring crises within opposition parties.

The PDP specifically accused some loyalists of President Tinubu. It claims they are deliberately fuelling instability within opposition groups.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, issued this allegation on Monday. His statement reacted to a recent decision by the Tinubu administration. The government had granted asylum and protection to Fernando Dia Da Costa. Da Costa was an opposition presidential candidate in Guinea-Bissau’s recent election.

The PDP acknowledged the government’s action in Guinea-Bissau. It recognized the effort to safeguard Da Costa and promote peace. This also aimed to preserve democracy across the West African sub-region. However, the PDP noted a lack of similar commitment. It feels this is missing in Nigeria’s domestic politics.

The party urged President Tinubu to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. He must also refrain from undermining its democratic institutions at home.

PDP’s Stance on Regional vs. Domestic Democracy

The PDP formally acknowledged President Tinubu’s action. This involved granting asylum and protection to Fernando Dia Da Costa. He was an opposition candidate in Guinea-Bissau.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, along with his aide Alkasim Abdulkadir, explained the decision. They stated it aimed to shield Mr. Da Costa from threats. It also safeguarded Guinea-Bissau’s democratic aspirations. Furthermore, it reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and stability.

“The PDP praises this intervention,” Ememobong stated. “It aims to preserve peace and democracy in Guinea-Bissau and the wider West African region.”

He added, “President Tinubu must apply these same democratic principles domestically.” This includes actively monitoring and curbing anti-democratic forces. Such forces operate within his cabinet and political structure. They openly orchestrate, fund, and engineer crises in major opposition parties.

The PDP acknowledged the President is not expected to aid opposition parties. However, he holds a constitutional duty. This duty is to ensure Nigeria’s political space stays free, open, and competitive.

The party argues that this space is currently shrinking. It attributes this to coercion of elected officials. They are pressured to defect to the ruling party. It also points to the sponsorship of crises in opposition parties.

The PDP stressed that Nigeria’s intervention in Guinea-Bissau holds a core philosophy. This philosophy should guide the President’s domestic conduct. It should safeguard Nigeria’s electoral democracy from decline. It should also prevent a slide towards a one-party state.

“The President must act promptly,” the PDP insisted. “He must defend democracy within Nigeria.”

The party concluded, “He cannot portray himself as a sub-regional democracy defender. Not while enabling anti-democratic practices at home. Such actions undermine democratic institutions and processes.”