Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged President Bola Tinubu against any move to undermine Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday while reacting to allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over reported attempts to intimidate the opposition ahead of the party’s planned rally in Sokoto State.
Atiku had accused the Department of State Services, DSS, of recruiting protesters to disrupt the ADC rally. The secret police, however, dismissed the allegation.
Responding to the development, Frank maintained that Atiku’s claims reflected what he described as a pattern of political intimidation allegedly being deployed by the ruling APC against opposition parties across the country.
"Tinubu must not truncate this democracy with his desperation. Despite their denial, the facts on ground have shown clearly that they have a sinister plot against the opposition, and Nigerians will legally resist such moves vehemently," he stated.
His comments come amid preparations by opposition parties to launch campaigns aimed at defeating Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku had also alleged on Tuesday that Tinubu and the APC were already apprehensive about the possibility of losing the next presidential election.
However, the President’s political camp has dismissed the former vice president’s warning.
Tinubu, Atiku, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and 15 other presidential hopefuls are seeking Nigerians’ support ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
2027 election: Don't truncate Nigeria's democracy out of desperation – Timi Frank urges Tinubu