Democracy Not Sustained by Borrowed Platforms, Tinubu Says in Swipe at Atiku, Obi

Femi Ashekun/

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday appeared to take a subtle swipe at opposition figures, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, declaring that democracy “is not sustained by borrowed platforms” as the ruling All Progressives Congress conducted its presidential direct primary nationwide.

Tinubu made the remarks after voting at his ward in Ikoyi, Lagos, alongside First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the APC presidential primary exercise held across the country.

In a statement issued after participating in the exercise, the President said enduring democracy depends on strong party structures, grassroots mobilisation and institutional stability rather than political alliances built around grievances.

“Democracy is not sustained by noise, speculation, or borrowed platforms,” Tinubu stated.
“It is sustained by citizens who show up, party members who believe, institutions that endure, the grassroots, and a political family rooted in the people.”

The comments were widely interpreted as a veiled attack on the shifting coalition politics surrounding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, both of whom have been linked with several opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Tinubu insisted that the APC remained “focused, organised and deeply grounded across Nigeria”, contrasting the ruling party’s nationwide structure with opposition alliances he suggested were fuelled mainly by dissatisfaction with the government.

“Others may gather around grievance. We gather around structure, service, and the work of nation-building,” he added.

The APC on Saturday adopted a direct primary system for the presidential contest, allowing registered party members across the country’s 8,809 wards to vote.

Tinubu is seeking the party’s ticket for a second term and is facing Edo politician, Stanley Osifo, in the primary.

Across several states, party officials described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, although there were also reports of complaints and allegations of manipulation from some aggrieved aspirants and factions within the party.

Speaking after casting his ballot, Tinubu praised APC governors and party officials for overseeing what he called a transparent democratic process.

“This is grassroots politics where every member of the party has the right to participate and be involved,” the President said, adding that the primaries reflected “internal democracy within the party”.

The President also said he was satisfied with the conduct of the exercise nationwide, commending governors for handling ward congresses, delegate accreditation and membership verification processes effectively.

Tinubu’s remarks come amid intensifying manoeuvres within the opposition camp ahead of the next general election.

Atiku and Obi have both been linked to coalition talks in recent months, although cracks have emerged within the opposition movement over strategy, party platforms and zoning arrangements.

Obi on Saturday denied speculation of a fallout with Atiku, insisting the former vice president remained “a respected leader and elder brother”, despite the collapse of previous coalition efforts involving both politicians.

Within the APC, former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, described Saturday’s primary as a demonstration of unity behind Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying party members nationwide had turned out to reaffirm support for the President.

The ruling party’s primary exercise is seen as an early test of Tinubu’s political strength as Nigeria’s political landscape gradually shifts towards the 2027 presidential contest.