Human Rights Activist Mr Vincent Ezekwueme has praised President Bola Tinubu for declaring he would not impose a one-party system on Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
He gave the commendation in Onitsha on Thursday, reacting to the President’s Democracy Day address before the Joint Session of the National Assembly.
Ezekwueme called the president’s position a welcome development but urged him to back it up with patriotic action, not mere words.
He advised the President to direct INEC to recognise the legitimate national leadership of the Labour Party, in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
He added this would help ensure a fair and level playing field for all political parties in the country.
Ezekwueme further asked Tinubu to investigate claims that many politicians defecting to APC were pressured or coerced.
He said many defections occurred out of fear and the need for protection, not genuine political alignment or ideological agreement.
Ezekwueme described the recent increase in GDP and foreign reserves as “cheering news” and a positive sign for the economy.
However, he highlighted soaring inflation, high unemployment, poor exchange rate, youth restiveness, and insecurity as urgent challenges still crippling the nation.
He praised the President for honouring late democracy icons like Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, Humphrey Nwosu, and Gani Fawehinmi.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Lawyer Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor disagreed with the president’s statement denying plans to entrench a one-party state.
Ejiofor stated that while the claim may seem accurate on paper, current political events tell a different story entirely.
He noted that mass defections of opposition politicians — including governors and senators — paint a troubling picture of shrinking political diversity.
According to him, such moves raise deep concerns about the erosion of Nigeria’s democratic pluralism and political inclusiveness.
He insisted that these developments cannot be dismissed as coincidental or without broader implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
On the economy, Ejiofor challenged the President’s assertion that inflation was under control, calling the claim misleading.
He cited the inflation rate of 23.7 percent and said prices of essential goods remained unaffordable for the average Nigerian household
