Nigeria May Become One-Party State Before 2027

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that Nigeria risks becoming a one-party state before the 2027 general elections, citing recent moves to weaken opposition parties and shrink the country's political space.

The party expressed deep concern over what it described as a worrying pattern of court actions, defections, and political manoeuvres aimed at dismantling opposition platforms and consolidating the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement, the ADC alleged that certain political actors were deliberately exploiting state institutions, including the courts, to suppress dissenting voices and eliminate parties capable of mounting a credible challenge to the ruling party in the next general elections.

The party recalled that several opposition parties, including itself, had recently been hit by court rulings and political crises that threatened their existence and operations, sparking fears about the future of multiparty democracy in the country.

The ADC argued that the increasing wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling APC was further compounding the crisis, with several governors, lawmakers, and other political figures abandoning their original parties in what observers see as a strategic effort to weaken the opposition.

The party warned that the combination of these developments could effectively reduce the political space to a single dominant party by 2027, undermining the country's democratic foundations and the right of Nigerians to choose freely among credible political alternatives.

It cautioned that a one-party state would represent a dangerous setback for Nigeria's democracy, eroding the principles of competitive politics, public accountability, and the rule of law that underpin a healthy democratic system.

The ADC called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, the international community, and other pro-democracy stakeholders to rise in defence of the country's multiparty system and resist any move to entrench political dominance by a single party.

The party also urged the judiciary to remain impartial and resist any attempt to be used as an instrument for partisan political ends, stressing that the courts must continue to serve as the last hope for the protection of democratic principles.

The ADC reaffirmed its determination to remain steadfast in the face of what it described as orchestrated efforts to weaken its structures and undermine its political relevance, vowing to explore all legal and political options to safeguard its existence.

It called on its members, supporters, and the general public to remain united, vigilant, and resolute in defending Nigeria's democracy, stressing that the survival of multiparty politics is essential to the country's progress and stability.

The party further appealed to other opposition parties and stakeholders across the political divide to close ranks, set aside narrow interests, and work together to safeguard the country's democratic gains.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the state of opposition politics in Nigeria, with recent court orders, including one reportedly seeking the deregistration of the ADC and four other parties, dominating political conversations and stirring debates about the future of multiparty democracy.

The ADC maintained that despite the current challenges, it remained committed to offering Nigerians a credible alternative in the 2027 general elections, stressing that the country's democratic journey must not be reversed under any guise.