PDP Warns Tinubu Over Growing Tension in Opposition Parties

The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Bola Tinubu to curb the actions of officials it believes are fueling internal crises within opposition parties across Nigeria.

The party issued the warning while reacting to the president’s decision to offer protection to Fernando Dia Da Costa, the opposition candidate in Guinea-Bissau’s recent presidential election.

The PDP said the move to shield Da Costa reflects Nigeria’s long-standing role in promoting peace in West Africa. It noted that the protection aligns with efforts to prevent unrest in Guinea-Bissau and maintain stability in the region.

In a late-night statement, the party urged Tinubu to apply the same democratic values at home. It accused unnamed members of his cabinet and political allies of creating divisions within opposition groups and pushing elected politicians to defect to the ruling party. According to the PDP, such actions weaken Nigeria’s political space and make it less open and competitive.

The party argued that the principles behind Nigeria’s intervention in Guinea-Bissau should guide Tinubu’s approach inside the country. It said protecting democracy must begin at home to avoid a drift toward a system where one party dominates the political landscape.

The PDP insisted that the president has a constitutional duty to ensure that all parties operate without fear or manipulation. It warned that Nigeria cannot claim to defend democracy in the region while democratic processes within its borders face growing pressure.

The party urged Tinubu to act quickly to restore confidence in Nigeria’s political environment and uphold the values of free participation and fair competition.