Atiku’s Aide Alleges Tinubu, INEC Collusion to Undermine Nigeria’s Opposition

Paul Ibeh, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has publicly accused President Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of acting to weaken Nigeria’s opposition and erode democratic processes.

The comments come in the wake of INEC’s freezing of David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Ibeh’s accusations were made via his X account, where he claimed that presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had confirmed Nafiu Bala as the new ADC national chairman—a move Ibeh says was influenced by Tinubu and INEC.

Ibeh questioned the sudden recognition of Bala, noting that INEC had previously taken legal action to challenge his eligibility for the ADC chairmanship. “What has changed since then?” he asked, implying inconsistencies in the commission’s stance.

Describing the events as a “democratic faux pas,” Ibeh warned that such interference could signal a shift toward authoritarianism, drawing parallels with other controversial political episodes in Nigeria’s recent history.

“This is the same INEC that filed processes in court last year to show cause why Bala is not deserving of the Chairmanship of the ADC. What has changed since then?” Ibeh wrote. “Tinubu and Amupitan are the ones cooking up the democratic faux pas. Our message to them is that this dictatorship may live, but not for very long.”

The allegation adds to rising concerns over perceived political manipulation in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly regarding the treatment of opposition parties and leaders. Analysts say such developments could intensify debates about the independence of electoral institutions in the country.

The ADC has yet to issue an official statement regarding Bala’s chairmanship or respond to Ibeh’s claims, leaving uncertainty over the party’s internal leadership and its broader political implications.