According to a report by The Sun on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Mike Ahamba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party, has accused President Bola Tinubu of undermining democratic principles in the country despite his reputation as a long-standing advocate of democracy who once risked his life in its defence.
He alleged that the current administration is actively working to weaken opposition political parties, describing the situation as a deliberate effort to erode democratic structures and limit political plurality.
He expressed concern over what he described as a steady decline in the independence and effectiveness of opposition parties, noting that such developments pose a threat to the democratic system.
According to him, the strength of any democracy lies in the ability of opposition parties to function freely without interference, and any attempt to suppress them weakens the foundation of governance and accountability in the country.
Addressing controversies surrounding the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, Ahamba stated that public perception plays a critical role in maintaining trust in electoral institutions.
He suggested that when doubts arise about the neutrality of an electoral umpire, it becomes difficult for stakeholders to have confidence in the electoral process, regardless of whether such concerns are proven or not.
He further explained that the credibility of elections depends not only on the actual conduct of officials but also on how they are perceived by political actors and the general public.
In his view, once an electoral referee is widely believed to be partial, the integrity of the process is already compromised, making it challenging to ensure fairness and acceptance of outcomes.
Ahamba emphasized that individuals occupying sensitive positions must be willing to make personal sacrifices to preserve the credibility of the institutions they represent.
He maintained that stepping aside in the face of widespread allegations, even without definitive proof, could help restore confidence and protect the integrity of the electoral body.
He also raised concerns about what he described as administrative interference in political party affairs, arguing that such actions fall outside the legitimate responsibilities of an electoral commission.
He insisted that the independence of political parties must be respected and that any attempt to manipulate or control their internal processes undermines democratic values and the rule of law.
He said, “There’s no smoke without fire. And if the people you are going to referee a match for have already decided that you are going to be biased, it’s not safe for you even to go into the field. You should honourably excuse yourself from the election. This is my view. If I were in his shoes, I would simply resign. Yes, because enough points have been made that he’s biased. He cannot administratively tamper with political parties. He cannot do that; but he’s been doing that.”…Read_More…