2027: NDC Member Petitions Trump, EU Against Tinubu-led APC Over ‘Threats To Democracy’
A member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Great Imo Jonathan, has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, urging the U.S. government to intervene over what he described as growing threats to Nigeria's democratic institutions under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The petition, which was also copied to the United States Ambassador to Nigeria and the Head of Delegation of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS in Abuja, called for diplomatic action to safeguard Nigeria's democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the letter titled, "Urgent Appeal for U.S. Intervention to Stop Democratic Erosion in Nigeria Under the Tinubu-led APC Government," Jonathan appealed to the U.S. government to publicly caution the Nigerian government against actions he alleged were weakening democratic institutions.
"I urge the United States Government to publicly and diplomatically warn the Tinubu-led APC government to stop immediately from undermining democracy in Nigeria and weakening democratic institutions," he stated.
He further alleged that the ruling party was taking steps aimed at retaining power despite what he described as widespread disputes over the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, “The actions being taken, out of desperation to remain in power despite failing to deliver on the mandate obtained through fraudulent glitch in the 2023 general elections, are eroding public trust and threatening Nigeria's democratic future."
Jonathan argued that Nigeria's democratic stability is of strategic importance to the United States and its Western allies because of the country's economic strength and security role in West Africa.
He warned that continued democratic decline could have regional and international consequences, including the possibility of military intervention similar to developments witnessed in parts of the Sahel.
“If the reckless behaviour of the APC government continues and leads to democratic collapse or military intervention, America and the entire Western world will lose an important strategic partner in Africa," he wrote.
He added that such a development could negatively affect U.S. counterterrorism efforts, trade, energy security and regional stability, while also weakening democratic governance across Africa.
The NDC member also urged the United States and its allies not to remain silent in the face of what he described as democratic backsliding in Nigeria.
"If the American Government and the Western world do not intervene now to strengthen democracy and insist on free, fair, and credible elections, citizens of Nigeria will lose faith in democracy itself and in America and the Western world as its champions. Silence in the face of democratic erosion will be interpreted as approval," he stated.
Jonathan further claimed that millions of Nigerians continued to dispute the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and accused the current administration of weakening key democratic institutions.
"The 2023 presidential election that brought the APC government to power is widely disputed by millions of Nigerians who believe the mandate was stolen. Instead of addressing those concerns and delivering good governance, the government is further weakening institutions like INEC, the judiciary, security agencies and the legislature to consolidate power," the petition read.
As part of his requests, Jonathan asked the U.S. government to issue what he described as a "clear open and diplomatic warning" to the Tinubu-led administration against actions capable of undermining democratic institutions.
He also called on the United States to insist on respect for the rule of law, judicial independence, press freedom and electoral integrity ahead of future elections, while urging Washington to collaborate with the European Union and other democratic partners to place Nigeria's democratic situation on the agenda of future U.S.-Africa and EU-Africa engagements.
“Nigeria's democracy is at a crossroads. The decisions made by the U.S. in the next few months will determine whether Nigeria remains a democratic partner or follows the path of the Sahel. I trust America will act before it is too late,” Jonathan added.