Nigeria: Tinubu denies one-party plan after he’s accused of clamping down on opposition
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Tinubu Dismisses Claims of Pushing Nigeria Towards One-Party Rule
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firmly denied allegations that he is working to transform Nigeria into a one-party state, following a surge of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The claims have stirred political tension and concerns about the health of democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.
Speaking during a Democracy Day address, Tinubu stressed his unwavering support for Nigeria’s multiparty political system, stating:
“At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria.”
Growing Defections Spark Warnings
The president’s response came after several governors and federal lawmakers recently left opposition groups to join the APC. The development has fueled suspicions that the ruling party is deliberately weakening political opposition ahead of future elections.
Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC’s national chairman, added fuel to the fire when he remarked that there was “nothing wrong” with Nigeria becoming a one-party state — a statement that drew widespread backlash, even from within the ruling party itself.
Opposition and Citizens Raise Concerns
Debo Ologunagba, spokesperson for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused Tinubu’s government of using state machinery to pressure political rivals into defecting. He described the wave of defections as orchestrated by a “compromised state apparatus” and warned that such moves threaten the survival of democracy.
“Nigerians must resist the plot to foist a despotic one-party regime in Nigeria,” Ologunagba urged.
Meanwhile, dozens of young Nigerians protested in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, decrying what they called bad governance and misuse of public funds. The protests coincided with Democracy Day celebrations, highlighting the gap between political leadership and public sentiment.
Critics Within the Ruling Party Speak Out
The growing unease isn’t limited to the opposition. Even some members of the APC have expressed disapproval of the trend toward political consolidation.
Ali Ndume, a senator from the ruling party, warned,
“One-party dominance is a sign of the death of democracy. We need to have a system that makes it difficult for people to decamp.”
Ndume’s remarks reflect a wider fear among political observers that the democratic space in Nigeria is shrinking, with fewer checks and balances if the opposition continues to weaken.
History of Biased Anti-Corruption Drives
Many Nigerians have long criticized the country’s anti-corruption agencies for being selective in their investigations—often targeting opposition figures while leaving ruling party members untouched. This perceived weaponization of law enforcement has led to accusations that the government uses justice as a tool of political intimidation.
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Such patterns are seen as part of a broader effort to silence dissent and consolidate power under the ruling party, further casting doubt on Tinubu’s denial.
Calls for Democratic Reform and Institutional Integrity
As the 2027 elections inch closer, civil society groups and political analysts are calling for reforms to electoral and party systems to discourage rampant defection and ensure a level political playing field. Without meaningful change, critics warn, Nigeria risks falling into a de facto one-party system.
Though President Tinubu insists on his commitment to democratic principles, observers argue that actions, not speeches, will ultimately determine the fate of Nigeria’s political landscape
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