By Abdulraheem Kawthar Adenike | Fact Frontier.
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As Nigeria enters a pivotal year of political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, a senior figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly denied that the party seeks to establish a one-party state, aiming to quell a growing national debate. The statement comes amid a wave of high-profile defections to the APC and intensifying political maneuvers that have opposition parties and civil society groups expressing deep concern over the erosion of a robust multi-party democracy.
Official Denials Amidst Political Shifts
Senator Chris Adighije, a prominent APC chieftain from the southeast, explicitly addressed the simmering anxieties.
The APC is not seeking a one-party state,Adighije stated, framing the party's growing membership as a natural consequence of effective governance. He attributed the influx of new members to President Bola Tinubu's political strategy, asserting it was a sign of popular approval rather than a forced consolidation.
What is happening is that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s deft political engineering is attracting more and more people into the APC. People are satisfied with his leadership style and want to identify with his party,Adighije explained.
This position is echoed at the highest levels of the party. The APC's National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, has also categorically dismissed the notion, calling it unfounded. In a recent briefing, Morka emphasized that
Nigeria's democratic system expressly prohibits a one-party state,suggesting the constitution itself is a sufficient safeguard.
The Roots of the Controversy: A Wave of Defections
Despite these assurances, the political landscape tells a more complex story. The fears of a one-party system are not abstract but are fueled by observable trends. The most significant is the steady migration of opposition governors, lawmakers, and other influential figures into the ruling APC since President Tinubu took office in 2023.
A defining moment was the recent defection of a former governor from the opposition in Abia State to the APC, a move that significantly altered the political calculus in the southeast. This pattern, repeated across various regions, has led critics to accuse the APC of leveraging the perks and pressures of federal might to co-opt opposition, a practice known as "political engineering."
The 2027 Chessboard and Internal Party Dynamics
The current political maneuvers are widely seen as early positioning for the 2027 presidential election. The APC is actively working to shore up its national dominance. In a show of grassroots support in the southeast, a group has already vowed to purchase the ruling party's nomination forms for President Tinubu, signaling the start of campaign activities.
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However, the push for consolidation is creating tensions. The APC leadership has issued stern warnings to its own members against "unauthorized fraternization" with opposition parties, indicating a strict boundary being drawn. Simultaneously, internal democracy is being tested, as figures like Adighije himself have urged party members to "vote out non-performing leaders" in upcoming congresses, highlighting that the quest for control is not just external but internal as well.
Opposition parties, though weakened, are not static. High-profile moves, such as Peter Obi's departure from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), are attempts to build new, viable coalitions. The Lagos State APC chapter criticized this move as a "politically calculated" effort to unite smaller parties, acknowledging the strategic counter-play at work.
Analysis: Between Rhetoric and Reality
Political analysts note a clear disconnect between the APC's official rhetoric and the practical outcomes of its actions.
While the APC's leadership is correct that Nigeria's constitutional framework forbids a formal one-party state, there is a genuine risk of evolving into a de facto one-party system,explains Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, a political sociologist at the University of Abuja.
This occurs when one party becomes so overwhelmingly dominant that opposition exists in name only, unable to realistically contest for or win power at the national level. The current defection trend, if unchecked, points squarely in that direction.
The concentration of power also raises concerns about accountability and robust policy debate, which are hallmarks of a healthy democracy. When a single party commands overwhelming control of federal and most state institutions, the checks and balances provided by a strong opposition are diminished.
