Too many parties, too little ideology — Oni advocates political system overhaul

Michael Olumide

Former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, has issued a stark warning about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, cautioning that the country is gradually slipping into what he described as “organised opportunism” under the guise of a multi-party system.

Speaking during an appearance on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, Oni delivered a sweeping critique of Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory, highlighting structural weaknesses that he believes threaten both governance and democratic integrity.

At the heart of his concern is what he sees as a steady regression in democratic values, driven by the proliferation of weak political parties and a growing culture of opportunistic defections. According to him, Nigeria’s political environment is increasingly defined by personal ambition rather than ideology or policy direction.

“We are regressing,” Oni said. “The multiplication of political parties does not strengthen democracy. Instead, it encourages opportunism and weakens the system.”

He argued that Nigeria’s current multi-party framework, with over 20 registered parties, has become counterproductive, suggesting that a more streamlined structure—limited to a few viable parties—would enhance governance and accountability.

Oni proposed a performance-based system that would periodically assess political parties and deregister those that fail to meet defined electoral thresholds.

“Some parties exist only in name,” he noted. “If a party cannot attract meaningful votes, it raises the question of its relevance in a serious democratic setting.”

On the economy, Oni acknowledged signs of macroeconomic stability, particularly in exchange rate management, which he said has contributed to renewed investor confidence.

However, he was quick to point out that such stability has not translated into improved living conditions for the average Nigerian.

While investors may view the economy positively due to relative predictability, he said the reality for citizens remains harsh, with inflation and high cost of living continuing to erode purchasing power.

“Stability is important, and we must applaud it,” he said. “But stability alone does not mean prosperity. The value of the currency still matters, and Nigerians are feeling the pressure.”

Oni linked persistent inflation to exchange rate dynamics and weak domestic production, especially in agriculture. He warned that insecurity across farming regions is severely limiting output, thereby worsening food inflation and economic strain.

“The agricultural sector, which should be our strength, is underperforming due to insecurity,” he explained. “Farmers are unable to produce optimally, and this affects the entire economy.”

Despite these concerns, he commended the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the military, urging citizens to support them through timely and credible intelligence sharing.

He stressed that even the perception of insecurity—such as rumours of kidnapping—can disrupt economic activity and create widespread fear.

Addressing the hardship resulting from recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, Oni acknowledged that while such policies may be necessary, their immediate impact on citizens has been severe.

“The hardship will not disappear overnight,” he said. “Government must continue to find ways to ease the burden, even as reforms take shape.”

On palliative measures, Oni expressed cautious support, advocating for structured and institution-based distribution systems rather than direct cash transfers. He suggested that schools, religious organisations, and other community-based institutions could serve as more effective channels for delivering relief.

“I am not a strong supporter of palliatives, but they are necessary,” he said. “They must, however, be implemented in a way that is organised and impactful.”

Turning to governance at the subnational level, Oni refrained from making definitive judgments about the performance of state governors, citing limited access to their financial records. Nonetheless, he called on all tiers of government to intensify efforts to address citizens’ needs.

On the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the majority of states, Oni warned of a potential drift toward a one-party dominant system.

While acknowledging that political strength naturally shifts over time, he emphasised the need to preserve a healthy balance in democratic competition.

He also addressed emerging opposition coalitions, including those forming around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that such movements are often driven by internal failures within existing parties rather than genuine ideological alignment.

“Setting up new parties is not the solution,” he said. “The real issue is the failure to manage existing political structures effectively.”

Oni, who reaffirmed his membership of the APC, dismissed concerns about defections, describing them as cyclical and largely reflective of leadership shortcomings within parties.

“People move because they are dissatisfied,” he said. “But moving from one platform to another does not automatically solve the problem.”

In his closing remarks, the former governor called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s political system, urging policymakers to introduce stricter party registration criteria, enforce accountability, and promote a more disciplined democratic culture.

“We must not be distracted by the noise of new political parties,” he warned. “If we fail to fix the system, we will continue to recycle the same problems under different names.”