Many Nigerians and political observers are watching how the country’s politicians, especially governors, senators, legislators, and other political office holders, are trooping from the parties on whose platforms they were elected into the ruling APC or other major opposition parties. People are seeing this as a sign that Nigeria is heading towards becoming a de facto one‑party state, as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
At present, Nigeria’s democratic system appears to be undergoing a major shift, with many parties losing strength, which in turn raises questions among citizens. Not long ago, several governors, especially from the southern states, defected from various parties to the ruling APC. Recently, the governors of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, also defected in a surprising and dramatic fashion. This wave of change, likened to a political tsunami, further confirms the growing strength of the APC while opposition parties are visibly weakening.
When Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of Delta State and Atiku Abubakar’s running mate under the PDP, moved to the APC, it sparked intense controversy across the country. Very few Nigerians expected such a prominent figure from a major opposition party to defect at this time, especially given how politicians at different levels have been dumping their parties to join the APC.
This development has become one of the greatest challenges the PDP has ever faced in its history. It is particularly striking to see some of the long‑standing PDP stronghold states, no matter how turbulent the political winds become, such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Taraba, Enugu, and even Bayelsa, the home state of former President Goodluck Jonathan, gradually slipping into the hands of the APC.
Plateau State, which has also long been under PDP control, is now wobbling; there are even rumours that the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, is in talks to join the APC, the party now led by his former rival in the 2023 governorship election, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
One major reason for this trend is the desire to secure support and backing from the federal government to develop their states – or, in some cases, to enrich themselves. Some believe that joining the ruling party makes it easier to attract infrastructure, gain favour with the president, and enjoy electoral advantage in the next general elections. At the same time, lack of internal structure and persistent crises in opposition parties, as seen in the PDP, deprive many politicians of peace of mind and push them to leave.
Some political analysts argue that what is happening has its own benefits, including greater calm and order in political affairs. When one party firmly controls government, they say, there can be more focus on implementing policies without obstruction from a strong opposition. China is often cited as an example of how a one‑party system can drive rapid development. Under its one‑party model, China avoids the kind of political turbulence seen in some other countries and enjoys relative stability and sustained progress.
China’s president, Xi Jinping, rules with near‑monarchical authority, facing no serious interference from the legislature or opposition. This allows him to take decisions quickly without legislative bottlenecks. Policy implementation can therefore be carried out efficiently and on schedule. Many observers see this as one of the reasons China has risen from a weak economy to become the world’s second‑largest economic power.
However, there is no desire to see Nigeria follow China’s authoritarian path. Even though some analysts view President Tinubu’s current political approach as an attempt to mimic aspects of China’s one‑party style, Nigeria’s context is different and demands caution.
On the other hand, experts in political science insist that such a system undermines the quality of democracy. In their view, the absence of a strong opposition reduces effective oversight of government activities, which can prevent leaders from pursuing policies that truly improve citizens’ lives. It also weakens freedom of expression and creates obstacles to the full exercise of democratic rights.
Nigeria needs strong and vibrant opposition parties to guarantee good and just governance. The growing wave of defections from opposition parties into the APC can seriously weaken the country’s democracy. It is therefore necessary to build a system that allows space and support for all political blocs and viewpoints, so that different politicians can compete fairly.
Although the Federal Government may seek to bring parties together in the name of national peace and development, Nigeria’s democracy rests on the plurality of parties and their competing visions for public welfare. The defection of major political figures to the APC can reduce the intensity of political competition and endanger democratic practice. In truth, the decline of opposition parties diminishes the excitement of politics and lowers the quality of governance, because there is no one to closely monitor the implementation of policies and programmes.
There is thus a need to free the opposition to operate within the law and to allow smaller parties to function as democracy entitles them to ensure justice and good leadership.
In the end, it must be understood that freedom in a democracy is not merely about having many parties or concentrating power in one dominant party. It is about guaranteeing credible elections acceptable to all sides and establishing sound governance that protects everyone’s rights.
Care must be taken not to let Nigeria’s democracy slide into a one‑party arrangement or turn the country into a laughingstock before other nations. Democracy requires strong and healthy competition, with a robust opposition that can energise the public and strengthen their confidence in the system.
Abba Abubakar Yakubu, a multimedia journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
