Paul Ibe, the official spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate, has made serious allegations against Nigeria's current president, Bola Tinubu. In a strongly worded statement, Ibe accused Tinubu of orchestrating a plot to enforce a one-party state in Nigeria, claiming that the president is targeting the dismantling of opposition parties, particularly focusing on the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Ibe's statement highlighted his concern that Tinubu's actions threaten Nigeria’s democratic system and could lead to the erosion of political pluralism, a key pillar of the nation's governance. According to Ibe, Tinubu's ultimate plan is to manipulate the political landscape in order to enforce a one-party system by 2027, thus dismantling the opposition forces that challenge his rule.
He further expressed his dismay over what he perceives as Tinubu’s focus on political power at the expense of addressing the pressing issues that ordinary Nigerians are currently facing. Ibe accused the president of being more concerned with securing his hold on power and stifling the opposition than with the governance and welfare of the people. According to Ibe, these actions are a significant distraction from the actual needs of the country, particularly given the high levels of suffering and economic challenges faced by Nigerians today.
During an interview with News Central TV, Ibe dismissed claims that Atiku Abubakar’s decision to run for president was motivated by selfish ambitions. He emphasized that Atiku’s motivations were driven by a deep sense of patriotism. Ibe stressed that Atiku had only ever sought the presidency out of a genuine commitment to Nigeria's development, and he took issue with anyone labeling Atiku's actions as selfish. Ibe pointed out that Atiku won the PDP’s primary and as a party leader, it was his right to contest the election, in line with the democratic process.
Ibe also expressed his concerns about the actions of certain party members, specifically singling out Nyesom Wike, who has aligned himself with the ruling APC administration. According to Ibe, Wike's actions are undermining the PDP and contributing to the destruction of opposition forces. Ibe made it clear that he believes it is Wike, and not Atiku, who is acting out of selfishness by aiding in the disintegration of the opposition parties that have traditionally kept the government in check.
“What we should be focused on now,” Ibe stated, “is the fact that Nigerians are suffering and the country needs urgent attention. We need a country to survive before we can even talk about individual political ambitions.” He also criticized the apparent lack of focus on governance by the Tinubu administration, accusing the president of putting more energy into undermining opposition parties instead of addressing the critical issues facing the nation. Ibe reiterated that Tinubu's strategy, according to his observations, is aimed at eliminating opposition voices and paving the way for an autocratic regime. He accused Tinubu of creating instability by felling the Labour Party, PDP, and NNPP in the hopes of consolidating power and establishing a one-party state by 2027.
“The PDP, like every other party, has its internal challenges,” Ibe continued. “However, what we are witnessing now is the deliberate strategy of Tinubu’s administration to undermine and destroy these opposition parties. This is a dangerous path for our democracy.”