Fears of One-Party State Deepen as More Opposition Politicians Join Tinubu’s APC
Story: written by Peterson October 16,2025
With Nigeria’s 2027 general elections fast approaching, concerns are mounting among citizens and political analysts over the growing dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition platforms to the APC has sparked fears that the country could be slipping toward a one-party system reminiscent of the Abacha era.
In recent weeks, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri defected to the APC within days of each other, raising the party’s control to 25 out of Nigeria’s 36 states. The PDP now holds just eight states, while the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) retain one each.
Observers warn that the trend could leave the APC virtually unchallenged in 2027. For many Nigerians, this growing consolidation of political power mirrors the 1990s under General Sani Abacha, when opposition parties were systematically weakened or absorbed into the ruling structure.
PDP in Disarray
The PDP, once Nigeria’s most formidable political machine, is now struggling with internal crises and a string of high-profile defections. Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the party has lost several senators, House members, and governors to the ruling APC.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party is mired in leadership battles, APGA appears to have lost its regional identity, and the NNPP is plagued by internal divisions.
NNPP Chairman Agbo Major warned that Nigeria is “gradually drifting toward a one-party system,” blaming the ruling party for deliberately undermining opposition voices.
“If one party controls both the legislature and the executive, true democracy becomes impossible. Those in power must be held accountable—but that’s becoming increasingly difficult,” Agbo said.
Political Survival or Self-Interest?
Not everyone sees the defections as dangerous. Some APC members argue that politicians are simply acting out of political survival and self-interest rather than ideology.
APC chieftain Okpokwu Ogenyi described the defectors as “opportunists chasing relevance ahead of 2027,” adding that “Nigeria can never truly become a one-party state because the people will always demand balance.”
However, other party supporters claim the PDP is merely facing the consequences of its past arrogance. “This is karma,” said Dada Akinfemi, an APC member from Kogi State. “When PDP was in power, it boasted of ruling for 100 years. Now it’s learning that no party stays at the top forever.”
Fear of History Repeating Itself
Democracy advocates have drawn parallels between today’s situation and Nigeria’s Abacha and Babangida eras, when opposition parties were suppressed or tightly controlled.
Human rights lawyer David Mike described the trend as “dangerous for Nigeria’s political future,” especially given the Senate President’s recent remarks that “Tinubu will win 99.9% of the votes in 2027.”
“Such statements from the head of the legislature are undemocratic. They suggest complacency and the death of real competition,” Mike warned.
Even the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has raised alarm, warning that “Nigeria is gradually sliding into a one-party state, which is unhealthy for democracy.”
A Nation at a Crossroads
Political historians say the trend recalls the Babangida era, when the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) were the only two parties permitted by law—a structure critics saw as state-controlled democracy.
More than 30 years later, fears are resurfacing that Nigeria’s democratic diversity is once again under threat.
For many Nigerians, the looming question is not just who wins in 2027—but whether true democracy will survive at all.
