Olukayode Majekodunmi

One-Party State in Nigeria, A Futile Dream,  Failing Opposition, Battle for 2027,Olukayode Majekodunmi,

By Olukayode Majekodunmi

The idea of Nigeria becoming a one-party state is as implausible as it is alarming. Historically, even under the most repressive military regimes, Nigeria’s diverse political culture resisted absolute consolidation of power. General Sani Abacha, with all the machinery of the state under his command, could not eliminate multiparty politics. His attempt to impose a single-party system collapsed under domestic resistance and international outrage. If such a feat was impossible in the face of absolute authoritarianism, how realistic is it under a civilian, constitutional democracy?

It is important to acknowledge the grave concerns raised in the recent statement titled “Defending Democracy: A Call to Resist the March Toward a One-Party State in Nigeria.”The signatories include respected advocates, public intellectuals, and activists whose contributions to our democratic journey are both historic and enduring. Their vigilance reflects a deep love for Nigeria’s fragile democratic experiment, and their warning should not be dismissed out of hand.

However, the tone of the Presidency’s response was not good enough. That is, branding esteemed citizens as “disgruntled figures” and “emergency defenders of democracy” undermines the seriousness of the debate. Language matters, especially in moments of national introspection. The response, while addressing the core political dynamics at play, missed an opportunity to engage the discourse with the decorum and respect that democracy demands—especially toward those whose sacrifices helped secure our current freedoms.

That said, it would be dishonest to place the responsibility for Nigeria’s political imbalance solely at the feet of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The growing dominance of the APC is not a function of state-backed coercion alone. It is equally—if not more—a symptom of the monumental failure of the opposition to present a viable alternative. Democracy thrives when there is not only a ruling party but a strong, credible opposition capable of galvanizing the electorate around new ideas and accountable leadership.

Let’s be clear: it is not the duty of the ruling party to help the opposition find its footing. No ruling party, anywhere in the world, has that obligation. It is not the responsibility of President Tinubu or the APC to organize the PDP, unify the Labour Party, or teach political discipline to the NNPP. A democracy presumes competitive politics. The job of challenging the status quo and offering voters a better alternative lies squarely with the opposition itself.

At present, Nigeria’s opposition is broken. The PDP is an imploding entity, unable to police its members or instill ideological discipline. It remains shackled by the internal sabotage of figures like Nyesom Wike, who openly collaborate with the APC while still enjoying space within the party. Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso—though individually influential—are operating in political silos, more interested in their personal ambitions than in forging a coalition that could take power. If this continues, 2027 will not be a contest. It will be a coronation.

But even that outcome will not be evidence of a one-party state. It will be the product of a fragmented, disoriented opposition that failed to do its homework.

We must also expand the lens of responsibility. The work of organizing for democratic change cannot rest solely on political parties. Civil society, media, student unions, religious institutions, labor movements, and indeed ordinary citizens must rise to the occasion. Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands active engagement from the people.

The Nigerian electorate must stop outsourcing its power to political elites. Citizens must ask hard questions, scrutinize policies, and hold all politicians accountable—not just the ones they didn’t vote for. Voting once every four years is not enough. There must be continuous participation—through town halls, civic education, protests, and public commentary. If the people do not engage, no amount of opposition heroics or ruling party restraint will save democracy.

The path forward must be twofold. First, the opposition must rebuild. That means discipline, ideological clarity, grassroots engagement, and coalition-building. It means purging opportunists and rejecting personality cults in favor of sustainable political platforms. Second, the people themselves must be the true defenders of democracy—demanding transparency, asking tough questions, and refusing to be mere spectators in the national drama.

We must stop reducing every political setback to dictatorship. Nigeria is not on the brink of a one-party state. What we are facing is a crisis of opposition, a vacuum of organization, and an apathetic citizenry. And if we are not careful,

We must stop reducing every political setback to dictatorship. Nigeria is not on the brink of a one-party state. What we are facing is a crisis of opposition, a vacuum of organization, and an apathetic citizenry. And if we are not careful, that vacuum will be filled by authoritarian tendencies—not because they were imposed, but because we allowed them to flourish through our silence and disunity.

The alarm has been sounded, yes. But sounding the alarm is not enough. Now is the time for organizing, for mobilizing, and for building a truly competitive democratic alternative. Nigeria deserves nothing less.

* Olukayode Majekodunmi, LLM Notre Dame, is a public affairs analyst