Nigeria’s democracy is thinner under President Bola Tinubu than during the military regime, according to Kola Ologbondiyan, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a scathing statement posted on X, Ologbondiyan criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its 11-year rule, describing the country as a “theatre of the absurd.” He argued that despite the celebration of Democracy Day in 2026, the democratic space has shrunk significantly under Tinubu’s leadership, even more so than during military rule.
Ologbondiyan, who previously served as the spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pointed to the current political environment as evidence of democratic erosion. He highlighted the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the emergence of APC candidates, even weeks after party primaries. He also noted that opposition parties are struggling to confirm their status ahead of upcoming elections, adding to the instability in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The ADC chieftain accused Tinubu, whose official handle is @officialABAT, of hypocrisy for preaching democratic values while simultaneously restricting democratic freedoms. He emphasized that the president’s actions contradict his public stance, calling it a “contradiction to be preaching democracy and also closing the democratic space all together.”
Ologbondiyan further predicted that Tinubu will contest the 2027 presidential election, while other opposition candidates will face internal conflicts fueled by the APC’s influence. He expressed confidence that Nigerians, though currently silent, are determined to vote out the APC in the next election. “Happy Democracy Day to majority of Nigerians, who though may be silent now, but are determined to vote out the gruesome APC at the nick of time, come 2027,” he wrote.
The criticism comes amid growing public concern over political transparency, electoral fairness, and the overall health of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Ologbondiyan’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among opposition figures and civil society groups who argue that democratic processes are being undermined by executive overreach and party manipulation.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the debate over democratic integrity continues to gain momentum. The outcome of these elections may determine whether the country strengthens its democratic foundations or slides further into political uncertainty.
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