Niyi Aborisade, governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, has urged the federal government to shift focus from opposition parties to pressing national challenges. Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, Aborisade called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to prioritise insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and the rising cost of living. He warned that Nigeria's democracy is under threat due to a shrinking political space, stating, "When opposition voices are silenced, the people lose their power to choose, question and demand accountability." Aborisade stressed that a democracy without opposition is not a democracy, describing the current climate as a "gradual descent into authoritarianism." He accused the federal government of treating opposition politics as a threat rather than a vital part of democratic governance. The ADC chieftain cited internal party crises, including the delisting of some party leaders, as evidence of possible external interference aimed at weakening opposition. "Suppressing opposition will not solve insecurity. Silencing dissent will not create jobs. What Nigeria needs is inclusive governance," he said. Aborisade maintained that the struggle is not just about the ADC but about the future of Nigeria's democratic system.
Niyi Aborisade's critique exposes a growing discomfort with how the Tinubu administration handles political dissent, particularly through indirect pressure on opposition parties. His reference to the delisting of ADC leaders suggests institutional tools are being used to destabilise opposition structures without direct confrontation. For Nigerian voters, this signals a narrowing of choices and a potential erosion of democratic checks, where governance thrives less on competition and more on compliance. If opposition spaces keep shrinking, elections risk becoming endorsements rather than contests.
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