The Presidency has issued a statement urging Nigerians to dismiss allegations suggesting that President Bola Tinubu intends to appoint “loyalists” as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in order to establish a one-party state in the country.
In the statement titled “PDP, Atiku Raising False Alarm,” the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that President Tinubu’s record as a democrat and his commitment to the rule of law have received global recognition. He attributed the dominance of Tinubu’s political structure in Lagos to the advancements achieved during his tenure as governor, rather than any undemocratic conduct.
Onanuga noted that the accusations against Tinubu and the judiciary, made separately by the PDP and Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, stem from their desperation to shift blame after certain party-elected governors failed to secure favorable outcomes in appeals court cases.
The statement highlighted that the PDP’s gains have been nullified by courts due to the party’s blatant disregard for the law. Onanuga cited examples such as the PDP governor in Osun winning a case against the APC at the Supreme Court, and the PDP governor in Bauchi prevailing in an appeal against the APC.
The Presidency criticized the lack of introspection from Atiku and his group before making what they described as serious, fabricated, careless, and reckless claims against President Tinubu and the judiciary. The statement emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role as a branch of the Nigerian government and highlighted previous instances where court decisions did not favor the ruling party.
In conclusion, the Presidency called on the public to disregard the allegations and maintain confidence in the democratic processes and institutions of the country.
