Is Nigeria becoming a one-party state?
By Chukwuma Ambrose Ohaka
Nigeria’s democracy has long prided itself on being multi-party, with a history of competitive elections and alternating power structures. But recent political developments are forcing both observers and citizens alike to ask a sobering question: Is Nigeria gradually becoming a one-party state?
The steady consolidation of power by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, has moved from being a political trend to what some now consider a systematic dismantling of opposition strength. One of the most glaring indicators is the recent defection of the current Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the APC, followed by his immediate predecessor and former Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Delta State, a traditional PDP stronghold, is just one of several battlegrounds where the opposition is fast losing ground. These defections were not merely symbolic; they were strategic moves that transferred not just individual loyalties, but entire political structures, supporters, and influence networks to the ruling party. This deepens the grip of the APC in regions previously considered politically diverse or oppositional.
The wave of defections is not limited to the South-South. In the North, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which made an impressive showing in the last general elections, especially in Kano State under the leadership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has seen a hemorrhage of key figures. Notable politicians who once championed the NNPP cause have quietly defected to the APC, citing “national interest” and “the need for political alignment.” These moves, however, are widely seen as capitulations to the power of incumbency and the incentives it offers.
But beyond defections lies a more profound issue: the inability of Nigeria’s opposition parties to put their house in order. The PDP, which ruled Nigeria for 16 uninterrupted years, is now a shadow of its former self, riddled with internal crises, factionalism, and a chronic failure to adapt to the demands of modern opposition politics. The Labour Party (LP), which captured the imagination of millions during the last elections, has similarly failed to translate its mass appeal into structured, cohesive national presence. Both parties are plagued by litigation, leadership disputes, and an evident lack of strategic coordination.
What’s more alarming is the conspicuous silence of opposition governors—those who remain in office under the PDP or LP banners. In other climes, opposition governors rally together to form a counterforce, offering alternative policies, speaking up on national issues, and pushing back against central overreach. In Nigeria, however, this bloc appears weak, divided, and reluctant to challenge the federal might of the APC. Whether out of fear of political persecution or in anticipation of future alignment, their inability to act as a collective force has further emboldened the ruling party.
Democracy, at its core, is about competition—of ideas, of policies, of leadership. When competition is stifled, or worse, co-opted into silence, what remains is a democracy in name only. Nigeria must not walk this dangerous path. A functional democracy demands a credible opposition—not just to contest elections, but to serve as a watchdog, a voice of dissent, and a catalyst for better governance.
The APC’s dominance, while impressive, must not go unchecked. The survival of our democracy depends on pluralism, balance, and the constant engagement of multiple political perspectives. If the trend of defections continues unchecked, and the opposition continues to implode from within, Nigeria risks becoming a de facto one-party state—an outcome that history has shown to be detrimental to national development and civil liberty.
For Nigeria’s democracy to endure, it is not just about winning elections. It is about preserving the spaces for voices that challenge the mainstream, offer new ideas, and represent the diversity of this nation. The opposition must rise to the occasion—or risk becoming a footnote in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
