The Dangers of a One-Party State in Nigeria: A Call for True Progressives

The Dangers of a One-Party State in Nigeria: A Call to True Progressives

In any thriving democracy, the strength of the system lies not in the absolute dominance of one political party, but in the healthy competition and accountability fostered by a vibrant opposition. Nigeria’s democracy, young and still evolving, cannot afford the dangers of a one-party dominance, yet today, many of our so-called political elites seem oblivious to this reality.

Recent trends have seen sitting governors and top leaders from opposition parties, particularly the PDP, defect to the ruling APC with little ideological alignment or commitment to the party’s foundational principles. Shockingly, these defections are not only tolerated but celebrated by APC members and leaders who should know better. This is a virus — a dangerous infection that, if left unchecked, will ruin the very democracy we claim to nurture.

Why a One-Party State is Dangerous

1. Collapse of Accountability:

   In a one-party system, there are no strong rivals to challenge the ruling party. Without opposition scrutiny, corruption, abuse of power, and bad governance grow unchecked. Power without competition almost always leads to tyranny.

   
   

2. Stifling of Ideas and Innovation:

   Democracy thrives on the clash of ideas. When one party dominates, debate dies. There is no incentive to develop fresh policies or solutions, and governance becomes stagnant.

   
   

3. Political Apathy Among Citizens:

   When people feel that elections are predetermined due to one-party dominance, they disengage. Voter turnout drops, civic participation weakens, and citizens lose faith in the political process altogether.

   
   

4. Encouragement of Political Opportunism:

   Instead of building ideologically-driven parties, politicians see politics as a game of survival — switching parties not because of beliefs but because of personal gain. This worsens the already shallow political culture we suffer from.

The Hypocrisy of Political Elites

It is deeply ironic that the same political elites who lecture the Nigerian youth on “principles” and “patriotism” are the very ones who exhibit no ideological loyalty themselves. They switch parties like changing clothes , driven not by conviction but by convenience. How then do they expect young Nigerians to have faith in the political system?

Where is the honor in politics without ideology? Where is the integrity in accepting every defector, no matter how tainted their record? It is not progressivism; it is political greed masked as strategy.

A Call to True Progressives

True progressives must rise and speak up.

We must stop encouraging the decimation of opposition parties. We must say no to welcoming sitting governors and opposition leaders who have no business in the APC. Democracy demands a strong opposition to survive. If we truly believe in the ideals of democracy , accountability, competition, progress , then we must preserve the multi-party system.

Welcoming opposition politicians without principles into the APC is not an achievement; it is a betrayal of the democratic values we claim to uphold.

Nigeria does not need a one-party dictatorship. It needs vibrant, ideological parties with clear visions competing for the trust of the people. The APC must rebuild itself internally, rather than weaken external competition. Let the PDP, the Labour Party, the NNPP, and others grow and provide alternatives. That is how democracy is strengthened ,not by turning Nigeria into a political monopoly.

The virus of mass defections and opportunism must be stopped , or else, we will wake up one day to find our democracy fatally wounded by our own hands.

True progressives must defend democracy, not destroy it in the name of short-term political gain.

Deliberate on this and do as you wish

Your Ever Well Wisher

Onyeani Kalu

Political Scientist