ABUJA* – Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling APC of taking actions capable of destabilising Nigeria’s democratic system.

Frank made the allegation in a statement on Thursday, following INEC’s decision on Wednesday to derecognise Senator David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) pending the determination of a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He warned that continued interference in opposition parties, now extending to the ADC, poses a serious threat to democratic governance and could “set Nigeria on fire” if not urgently addressed.

“INEC and the APC-led government appear to be taking steps that threaten the very foundation of our democracy,” Frank said.

He claimed that the pattern of events across opposition parties suggests a coordinated attempt to weaken political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The activist drew parallels with the military era, stating that the current trend is reminiscent of the tactics employed during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

Frank expressed concern over the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that recent developments point to a drift towards authoritarianism.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, through recent actions, evoked concerns of a return to authoritarian tendencies. His desperation to retain power by all means raises serious questions about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria,” he said.

He claimed that internal crises in major opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have been influenced by external forces, and warned that the situation is now spreading to the ADC.

Frank further alleged that the judiciary is being used to frustrate opposition parties through questionable rulings.

“The courts and the judiciary have been used to thwart democratic processes with frivolous decisions,” he said.

He warned that Nigeria risks heading into anarchy and a crisis that might be difficult to curtail, adding that such developments have historically led to political upheavals and even civil wars in other countries.

Frank called on all well-meaning Nigerians and critical stakeholders — including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and traditional rulers — to speak up and defend democracy.

“Silence at this critical moment is not an option,” he stressed.

He also urged the international community, particularly United States President Donald Trump, to intervene and support the preservation of democratic values in Nigeria.

The statement comes amid the ongoing leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).