Chinedum Treasure
Labour Party (LP) candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue has urged President Bola Tinubu and other public office holders to resist any temptation to suppress opposition voices or create an uneven political environment.
Ikezue advice followed what he described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
He alleged that recent political and legal developments could undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement on Thursday, the Senatorial hopeful argued that democracy flourishes when all political parties are allowed to compete freely under the rule of law.
He also called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, democratic institutions and the international community to remain vigilant and defend the principles of justice, fairness, political pluralism and the rule of law.
He maintained that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the collective commitment of citizens and institutions to protect democratic values.
According to Ikezue, democracy is not destroyed overnight but gradually weakened through actions that shrink the democratic space and erode political competition.
He noted that there is a growing perception among Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking to weaken opposition political parties before the next general election.
He warned that such perception could damage the credibility of the country’s democratic process.
Ikezue cited the legal issues surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC), recalling that a court had earlier ordered the party’s deregistration.
Although the party reportedly appealed the decision, he said concerns persist over subsequent developments affecting its legal status.
The LP chieftain also expressed concern over the continued detention of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, whose bail application was adjourned until July.
According to him, regardless of the eventual outcome of the case, the prolonged legal process has effectively limited Sowore’s participation in key pre-election political activities.
He further referred to reports that a court ordered the deregistration of Peter Obi’s National Democratic Coalition (NDC), stating that the combined effect of these developments has heightened public anxiety over the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
Ikezue lamented what he described as the apparent indifference of many Nigerians to the unfolding events, stressing that the issues transcend political affiliations and should concern every citizen because they have far-reaching implications for the nation’s democracy.
While stressing that democracy cannot thrive without a strong and vibrant opposition, Ikezue warned that attempts whether real or perceived to weaken opposition parties through legal or institutional bottlenecks would only undermine democratic governance.
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