By David Onwuchekwa
On May 22, 2025, at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit, President Bola Tinubu was quoted as saying that there’s nothing wrong with a one-party system, while highlighting the strength and unity he envisions for the APC as Nigeria’s leading political force.
This statement has sparked debate about his true intentions.
President Tinubu defended the influx of politicians joining the APC from opposition parties, citing the constitutional right to freedom of movement and association. He likened it to people bailing out of a sinking ship without a life jacket, implying that the APC is a more viable option.
However, the dangers of a one-party system are deeply entwined with the very survival of democracy.
At its core, democracy depends on political pluralism, the idea that different voices, parties, and perspectives must be allowed to compete, challenge, and coexist. When a single party dominates, this essential balance is destroyed.
What follows is often a slow erosion of democratic norms. Without opposition, the ruling party becomes both referee and player, tilting the game in its favour.
Accountability fades, transparency becomes optional, and the mechanisms meant to check power, like a free press or an independent judiciary, are often co-opted or dismantled.
Citizens, sensing the futility of political engagement, may disengage entirely, breeding apathy and cynicism.
Even more dangerous is the culture that takes root under such systems. Groupthink replaces debate, and loyalty to the party often trumps loyalty to the public good.
Policies go unchallenged, dissent is painted as disloyalty, and power becomes self-perpetuating.
In essence, the one-party system is not just a political arrangement, it’s a warning sign. Where it exists, democracy is not just weakened; it’s often on life support.
Does Nigeria need that?
