Leading voices from Nigeria’s civil society have sounded a stark alarm over what they describe as a deliberate and systematic attempt by the current administration to erode democratic principles and tilt the nation toward a de facto one-party state.
In a strongly worded joint statement titled “Defending Democracy: A Call to Resist a One-Party State in Nigeria,” a coalition of prominent activists, academics, and former public officials accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of undermining political pluralism through coercion, blackmail, and the weaponization of state institutions.
The statement, signed by figures such as Richard Akinnola, Dr. Sam Amadi, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Abdul Mahmud, Nnimmo Bassey, and several others, warned that Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy is facing its gravest threat since the end of military rule.
A Democracy Without Opposition Is No Democracy
The activists expressed deep concern over the recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that political actors are pressured into submission under the threat of investigations by agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Political pluralism is being eroded not by persuasion or performance, but by bribery, blackmail, and coercion,” the statement reads. “A democracy without opposition is not a democracy.”
They argue that the integrity of the Nigerian democratic experiment relies on the existence of a vibrant, competitive political landscape, where citizens have genuine choices, governance is subject to scrutiny, and diverse interests are represented.
Historical Betrayal and Alarming Parallels
Drawing a sharp contrast between Nigeria’s current trajectory and the ideals that animated the pro-democracy struggles of the 1990s, the signatories noted the irony that some of the very actors who fought against military dictatorship now preside over an environment increasingly hostile to dissent.
“The drift toward a one-party state is a betrayal of the ideals that many of us – and indeed President Tinubu himself fought for during the darkest days of military dictatorship,” they wrote.
The coalition emphasized that the federal character of the nation, youth participation, and accountability in governance are all endangered if Nigeria slides into a political monoculture where dissent is suppressed and opposition silenced.
Call to Action
The statement concludes with an urgent appeal to President Tinubu to uphold the multi-party framework enshrined in the Constitution, end the persecution of political opponents, and recommit to the democratic values that ushered him into office.
They also called on civil society, the media, the Nigerian populace, and the international community to remain vigilant and proactive in defending democracy.
“We did not fight to end military dictatorship only to enthrone civilian authoritarianism,” they cautioned. “We must rise now to defend democracy, or risk losing it forever.”
What to Take Away from This Story
- Democracy at Risk: Nigeria’s democratic structure faces serious threats amid allegations of political coercion and institutional weaponization under President Tinubu’s government.
- Civil Society’s Stand: Leading Nigerian activists and thought leaders are raising the alarm, emphasizing that political diversity is crucial to preserving democratic integrity.
- The Stakes Are High: Without robust opposition, Nigeria risks sliding into authoritarianism cloaked in civilian rule, a betrayal of decades of pro-democracy struggles.
- Citizen Responsibility: The activists’ call extends beyond government; they urge the Nigerian people, the media, and the global community to actively defend the nation’s democratic foundations.
