Physical Address
Awka Anambra State
Nigeria’s democracy, once hailed as the beacon of hope in Africa, is facing a serious internal threat one that appears to be emerging from the very corridors of power meant to protect it. Recent political developments have raised fears that the democratic foundations of the country are being eroded by the ruling class in a bid to consolidate unchecked power.
At the heart of this growing concern is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose alleged moves to pressure opposition governors into defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been described as a direct assault on Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Political observers and analysts warn that this practice now becoming more blatant risks transforming Nigeria into a one-party state, thereby weakening accountability, competition, and representation.
Democracy Under Siege from Within
Democracy thrives on diversity of ideas, policies, and political affiliations. In every democratic system, opposition parties play a vital role in holding the government accountable and providing an alternative voice for citizens. But when the ruling government uses political, economic, or institutional influence to weaken or absorb the opposition, democracy ceases to function effectively.
According to reports and political commentary, several opposition governors have recently faced intense political pressure to cross over to the ruling APC, allegedly through a combination of persuasion, coercion, and inducement. These defections, while often justified under the guise of “national interest” or “alignment with federal policies,” have deeper implications for Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
Political commentator Emeka Alex Duru described the development as “a dangerous trend where leaders who benefited from democracy are now dismantling the very structures that made their rise possible.”
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy is under attack not from military coups or external forces, but from elected leaders who manipulate the political system for personal and party dominance.
“When those who came to power through democracy work to destroy its checks and balances, the system collapses from within,” Duru warned.
Tinubu’s Consolidation Strategy
Since taking office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has pursued an aggressive political consolidation agenda, seeking to strengthen the APC’s grip on power at both the federal and state levels. His government’s approach to political unification though framed as a move toward national stability has drawn sharp criticism for undermining Nigeria’s democratic pluralism.
Analysts believe that Tinubu’s strategy mirrors the long-standing tradition in Nigerian politics, where ruling parties deploy federal influence to weaken opposition states through resource control, political appointments, and selective federal support. However, the pace and scale under Tinubu’s administration appear unprecedented.
Observers point to the recent mass defections of lawmakers, state officials, and now governors as evidence that the ruling APC is not content with democratic competition but is instead moving toward political monopoly.
Erosion of Opposition and the Rise of One-Party Politics
The continued defection of opposition leaders has a ripple effect that extends beyond political optics. It undermines citizens’ trust in the electoral system and renders opposition voices ineffective in shaping public policy.
In a truly democratic system, opposition parties serve as watchdogs, ensuring the ruling government remains accountable. But when those voices are systematically silenced or absorbed into the ruling camp, governance becomes unchallenged — and unchecked power breeds corruption, complacency, and authoritarian tendencies.
Political observers warn that Nigeria could soon face a democratic recession, where elections exist only as formalities without meaningful competition or ideological diversity.
Furthermore, the weaponization of state institutions including security agencies, anti-corruption bodies, and financial regulators to intimidate or entice opposition politicians only deepens the erosion of democratic principles.
Lessons from History
Nigeria’s current situation echoes patterns seen in its political history. From the collapse of the First Republic in 1966 to the years of military dictatorship, the concentration of power in the hands of a few has always spelled disaster for democratic governance.
In the Fourth Republic, the emergence of strong opposition coalitions was instrumental in breaking the long-standing dominance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, leading to the rise of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ironically, the same APC that once championed democratic competition is now being accused of suffocating it.
The late elder statesman and constitutional lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, once warned that democracy without opposition is dictatorship in disguise. This warning seems more relevant now than ever as Nigeria watches its opposition crumble under state-sponsored political pressure.
The Role of the Judiciary and Civil Society
The judiciary and civil society remain Nigeria’s last line of defense against political authoritarianism. The courts have a constitutional duty to protect the rights of elected officials and uphold the principles of fair political participation.
Civil society organizations, human rights groups, and the media must also rise to the occasion by ensuring transparency, exposing political intimidation, and holding leaders accountable.
However, critics argue that both institutions have become increasingly silent in the face of executive overreach, allowing political manipulation to go unchecked. The challenge, therefore, is not just political it is institutional.
Restoring Faith in Democracy
For Nigeria to sustain its democratic journey, it must reaffirm its commitment to multi-party governance, free choice, and fair competition. The president, as a product of democracy, bears a moral responsibility to protect not undermine the system that legitimized his authority.
Political inclusiveness, tolerance of opposition, and respect for dissenting voices are the true tests of democratic maturity. Nigeria must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, where concentration of power led to instability and public disillusionment.
Democracy is not merely about holding elections; it is about maintaining an environment where every political actor, big or small, can operate freely without fear or coercion. The government must demonstrate through action that it values institutional integrity above party dominance.
Conclusion
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The pressure on opposition governors to defect to the ruling APC may appear as routine political maneuvering, but its long-term consequences could be devastating for the nation’s democratic health.
As Emeka Alex Duru rightly observed, “Nigeria’s democracy is under assault from within.” The threat is not from tanks on the streets but from subtle political manipulations that weaken institutions and silence opposition voices.
If unchecked, this trend could turn Nigeria’s democracy into a mere façade a system that looks democratic on paper but functions as a one-party state in practice.
To preserve the gains of the past two decades, Nigeria must strengthen democratic values, protect opposition participation, and resist the temptation of authoritarian consolidation. Only then can the promise of democracy freedom, fairness, and accountability truly endure.
