TDThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Nigeria as a “fully authoritarian state” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing the Human Rights Foundation’s (HRF) newly launched Tyranny Tracker, which classifies Nigeria among countries it regards as fully authoritarian.
The PDP made the position known in a press statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee.
The statement was titled “Nigeria: A Full Authoritarian State Under Tinubu.”
The party said the international assessment merely confirms what it described as the “local reality” Nigerians have experienced under the APC-led Federal Government.
It alleged declining electoral integrity, restrictions on dissent, weakening democratic safeguards and inadequate institutional checks on executive power.
HRF assessment
The claim about Nigeria’s classification is supported by the Human Rights Foundation’s own announcement of the Tyranny Tracker, published on February 26, 2026.
According to HRF, its tracker classifies countries as democratic, hybrid authoritarian or fully authoritarian using a qualitative methodology.
The methodology is based on 45 indicators grouped under three pillars:
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electoral competition,
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freedom of dissent, and,
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institutional accountability.
HRF specifically listed Nigeria alongside China, Ethiopia, Russia and Vietnam among countries classified as fully authoritarian in the tracker.
The foundation defines fully authoritarian regimes as governments that systematically deny meaningful electoral competition and basic political freedoms.
Meanwhile, such government lacks an independent judiciary capable of effectively checking abuses of executive power.
The methodology differs from conventional democracy rankings.
This is because the Tyranny Tracker relies principally on qualitative assessments rather than producing a single numerical democracy score.
HRF said its assessment draws on academic literature, media reports, civil-society information, its own research network and expert consultations.
PDP: “All the indicators are present”
Reacting to the classification, the PDP argued that Nigeria’s political environment under the Tinubu administration exhibits all the characteristics identified by HRF as associated with authoritarianism.
The opposition party cited what it described as attacks by government officials on Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Catholic Church and Christianity generally.
It presents the episode as evidence of what it considers shrinking space for freedom of expression.
The PDP also criticised the National Assembly, alleging that the legislature has failed to provide meaningful checks on executive authority.
“A parliament that ignores or blatantly disrespects the country’s constitution and its own standing rules during critical legislative activities cannot offer credible oversight of the executive,” the statement said.
The party further alleged that the administration had failed to adequately implement appropriation laws.
It questioned what it described as insufficient legislative scrutiny of executive actions.
2027 election fears
A major component of the PDP statement was its warning about the 2027 general elections.
The party alleged that the electoral process could become a “mere formality” rather than a genuine mechanism through which Nigerians determine their leaders.
It accused the administration of what it called the “continuous asphyxiation” of opposition parties.
It further alleged weaponisation of security agencies against political opponents and increasing partisanship by electoral institutions.
The PDP also criticised what it described as inflammatory political rhetoric from the President and his political associates.
According to the party, the 2027 presidential contest contains “two contests” — the battle for the presidency and the broader struggle to preserve the country.
It warned that an attempt to secure the presidency “at all costs,” as alleged by the party, could ultimately damage national stability.
Call for political de-escalation
The opposition party called on the Tinubu administration to take immediate steps to reduce political tensions and ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair, credible and peaceful.
It urged the government to stop what it described as suppression of opposition activities, alleged misuse of security agencies and inflammatory political rhetoric.
The PDP also appealed to Nigerians to continue demanding accountability from political leaders at every level, describing accountability as an essential requirement of democratic governance.
What the HRF classification means
The HRF assessment is significant, but it is important to distinguish between the foundation’s classification and the PDP’s political interpretation of it.
HRF independently classified Nigeria as a fully authoritarian regime in its Tyranny Tracker.
However, the statements about the Tinubu administration’s alleged motives, the 2027 election being predetermined, or security agencies being deliberately weaponised are claims made by the PDP.
They are not findings established by the HRF announcement itself.
HRF says its tracker is designed to assess political regimes through the broader conditions of electoral competition, freedom of dissent and institutional accountability.
It also says classifications can be reassessed when significant political developments occur.
The classification therefore adds an international dimension to Nigeria’s continuing political debate.
Meanwhile, the PDP is using the assessment to strengthen its argument that democratic institutions and political freedoms are deteriorating under the Tinubu administration.
