TDA formal petition against Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada has opened another disturbing chapter in what critics describe as President Bola Tinubu’s politics of absorption and domination.
At the center of the storm is a grave allegation of dual-party membership: Wadada is reportedly still recognized by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a bona fide member.
Meanwhile, he positions himself within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the Nasarawa governorship primaries.
Dual Membership Allegations
The petition, dated April 29, 2026, and addressed to the APC National Chairman, argues that Wadada’s continued recognition by the SDP establishes a prima facie case of dual-party membership.
Under Nigerian law, such a situation is untenable, raising questions about compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The petitioner insisted that Wadada’s failure to formally notify the Senate of his defection further compounds the matter.
According to him, it suggests a clandestine intent and disregard for parliamentary procedure.
Defection as a Political Weapon
Observers argue this is not ordinary political maneuvering but a dangerous consequence of a ruling party more focused on swallowing politicians than strengthening democratic institutions.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, defection has become a political weapon—used to intimidate, attract, and absorb opposition figures without regard for due process, party rules, or constitutional discipline.
Analysts note that this strategy has been repeatedly deployed to weaken opposition parties, leaving them hollowed out and unable to mount credible challenges.
Credibility Crisis for APC
If the allegations contained in the petition are proven true, the APC faces more than an internal dispute; it confronts a credibility crisis.
How can a party that claims to defend democracy allow someone whose membership status is contested to participate in its activities and governorship calculations?
Political analysts warn that such practices erode the foundations of democratic governance, replacing legality with political convenience.
The controversy risks undermining the APC’s legitimacy in Nasarawa and beyond, casting doubt on its commitment to democratic norms.
Broader Implications for Nigerian Democracy
Critics say Tinubu’s Nigeria is increasingly characterized by bent institutions, raided opposition parties, and recycled politicians ushered in through backdoor arrangements.
This, they argue, is how one-party dominance is built—not through public trust, but through manipulation, confusion, and political capture.
The petition is therefore seen as more than a challenge to Wadada’s ambitions.
It is a warning that the ruling party’s methods risk pushing Nigeria toward democratic decay.
A Warning Beyond Nasarawa
Today, the controversy centers on Nasarawa; tomorrow, it could engulf any other state.
For democracy to survive, ambition must not be placed above legality, and opposition parties must not be treated as recruitment camps.
The Wadada petition is a test case: whether the APC will uphold its own rules and the nation’s laws, or whether political expediency will once again triumph over democratic discipline.
