Ologbondiyan Describes Tinubu’s One-Party State Remarks as Strange

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has described as “strange” President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks dismissing fears of a plot to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Ologbondiyan made the assertion on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, while reacting to Tinubu’s Democracy Day address before a joint session of the National Assembly.

President Tinubu had on Thursday denied claims that his administration harboured intentions to create a one-party state, insisting that such fears were unfounded.

He, however, expressed satisfaction over the disarray in the opposition parties, noting that he would not help them resolve their internal crises.

“To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of your panic, it rings in error,” Tinubu had said.

In his reaction, Ologbondiyan expressed skepticism over the president’s denial, arguing that the actions and policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) suggested otherwise.

“We never expected Mr. President to come to the public arena and declare that he knows nothing about the plot to establish a one-party state,” Ologbondiyan said.

He maintained that the opposition had no illusions that Tinubu would openly admit such an agenda, but insisted that the trend of political events pointed to a deliberate attempt to weaken multiparty democracy.

“I have not seen where he spoke about the need to reform the electoral process, even in that remark. Mr. President said he has not seen any effort by INEC to stop the registration of parties, but those who have filed for registration have come out to say they were denied certification,” Ologbondiyan stated.

He also cited an instance where a group allegedly fulfilled all requirements to register a new political party but was yet to receive certification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It is also strange to me that Mr. President will boldly say, ‘forever and ever I will never be involved in a one-party plot,’ yet the design and actions of his party suggest otherwise,” Ologbondiyan added.

The PDP chieftain further claimed that even some members of the APC and government officials had expressed concerns over the shrinking space for political competition in Nigeria.

According to him, “Members of his own cabinet have come out publicly—even on this same Channels TV—to question where they will find viable opposition parties to contest against. The president does not need to openly declare that parties should not be registered; the actions of his government speak volumes.”

Ologbondiyan’s remarks underscore growing concerns among opposition figures about the health of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.