From democracy to dominance: Why Nigeria must resist ‘One-Party’ rule

By Ibrahim Zikirullahi

Introduction
History is replete with examples of nations that allowed greed, arrogance and an unrestrained lust for power to erode democratic institutions. Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads. The gale of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised serious alarm.

Governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives who rode to power on opposition platforms now find themselves coerced, induced or pressured into joining the ruling party. This trend goes beyond ordinary political manoeuvring; it represents a slow but steady march toward a one-party state — a civilian dictatorship cloaked in democratic garb.

Global Lessons of One-Party Dominance
History teaches that one-party dominance rarely emerges from competence or visionary leadership. Instead, it is usually driven by opportunism, mass defections and the systematic erosion of institutions designed to safeguard democracy.

Zimbabwe under ZANU-PF:
What began as a liberation movement degenerated into a monopoly of power. Politicians defected not because of improved governance but for personal survival and access to state resources. The result was hyperinflation, economic collapse and mass migration, while elites enriched themselves at the expense of citizens.

Russia under United Russia:
Vladimir Putin’s consolidation of power was not about improving the lives of ordinary Russians. It centred on silencing dissent and rewarding loyalists. Opposition figures were jailed or exiled, parliament became a rubber stamp, and the country slid into wars and international isolation.

Cameroon under the CPDM:
Paul Biya’s decades-long rule has been sustained through patronage and defections. Politicians cross over to the ruling party for protection and privilege, not public service. The outcome has been civil unrest, economic stagnation and deep humanitarian crises.

Kenya under KANU in the 1980s:
Daniel Arap Moi’s one-party dominance thrived on corruption and repression. Defections were rewarded with patronage, while citizens endured poverty and ethnic violence. Restoring multiparty democracy took years of struggle.

Nigeria’s Current Trajectory Under Tinubu
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria has witnessed an alarming wave of defections. Governors from traditional PDP strongholds — Delta, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Rivers — have abandoned their mandates to join the APC.

These moves are not driven by ideological alignment or reformist zeal. Rather, they are calculated decisions aimed at securing protection, patronage and relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.

Delta State: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection in 2025 shocked a state that had remained PDP-controlled since 1999. The move was about political survival, not governance.

Enugu State: Governor Peter Mbah’s defection in October 2025 marked the collapse of another PDP stronghold, despite claims of “supporting reforms.”

Akwa Ibom State: Governor Umo Eno defected in June 2025, citing reform support, even as citizens saw little improvement in their living conditions.

Rivers State: Governor Siminalaye Fubara’s December 2025 defection was justified on the grounds that he could not remain in a party that “could not protect him.”

The lesson is unmistakable: defections are driven by self-interest, not public welfare.

The Rot of Institutions
National Assembly: A Rubber-Stamp Legislature

The National Assembly has largely abandoned its constitutional role as a check on executive power.

Defections are endorsed rather than challenged.

Opposition voices are marginalised or silenced.

Budgets and policies are passed with minimal scrutiny.

In effect, the legislature has become a conveyor belt for executive directives.

Judiciary: The Seal of Corruption

The judiciary, weakened by political influence and corruption, has legitimised defections and electoral irregularities.

Courts have consistently refused to declare defecting governors’ seats vacant, ignoring constitutional provisions and rewarding opportunism. In doing so, the judiciary has become an accomplice in Nigeria’s slide toward one-party dominance.

The Human Cost of One-Party Rule
One-party dominance is never abstract; it translates directly into suffering.

Economic collapse: Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation and Venezuela’s shortages show how unchecked power destroys livelihoods.

Insecurity: Cameroon and Kenya demonstrate how silenced opposition fuels unrest.

Migration: Millions fled Zimbabwe and Russia; Nigeria already faces a growing exodus of its youth.

Collapse of services: Patronage replaces competence, leaving schools, hospitals and infrastructure to decay.

Psychological toll: Hopelessness breeds political apathy, crime and desperation.

The Warning
Democracy rarely collapses overnight. It withers quietly when defections go unchallenged, when legislatures rubber-stamp executive excesses, and when courts seal injustice with legal approval.

Dictatorship does not always arrive with guns; sometimes it arrives with applause.

Call to Action
Nigeria must learn from history. Civil society, the media and principled citizens must resist the arrogance of power. Opposition parties must rebuild and offer credible alternatives. Democracy is not about the convenience of politicians; it is about the will of the people.

Conclusion
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The gale of defections to the APC is a warning sign of creeping dictatorship. From Zimbabwe to Russia, Cameroon to Kenya, the lesson is clear: democracy dies when opposition is silenced.

Nigeria’s democracy will not be stolen in one night; it will be suffocated by defections, rubber-stamp legislatures and compromised courts — unless the people rise to defend it.

Zikirullahi
Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)