IN the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s political future, much of the national discourse has centered on the growing dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Critics are quick to attribute the weakening of opposition parties to intimidation, coercion and political maneuvering. While such tactics may exist, the argument cannot be sustained on a long stretch given the atomistic inclinations of the main opposition parties themselves.
The truth might be inconvenient, but it is as simple as saying that Nigeria’s opposition parties are collapsing under the weight of their own contradictions.
At the height of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, 18 political parties were registered. By the end of the presidential contest, only a handful remained politically relevant, and even they began to disintegrate internally, plagued by infighting, defections and a lack of direction. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), once a dominant force, that ruled the country for 16 years, has been reduced to a shadow of its former self. The Labour Party’s rapid rise and equally swift decline exposed its shaky foundations — a party driven more by momentary euphoria than by deep ideological roots.
The collapse of opposition parties in the country cannot totally be the fault of the ruling party. No ruling party anywhere in the world plays to lose. From Washington to Westminster, ruling coalitions consolidate power. Opposition parties are expected to hold the line — to organise, strategise and inspire public trust. If they can’t, then they are not fit to play the role, of leading.
One of the most serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy is the ease with which politicians switch parties. From Atiku Abubakar to Peter Obi, and from Nasir El-Rufai to Kwankwaso, the political landscape is filled with career politicians who are more loyal to their ambitions than to any set of beliefs. And these are supposed to be leaders. They are also angling to lead the country, but seem not to have the strength of character to drive through pressure. Now, it has degenerated from individual defections to group defections. Strange bed-fellows now form coalitions intending to unseat the ruling party, but even this is plagued by ego squabbles. This culture of “anywhere-belle-face” politics weakens institutions and confuses voters.
In contrast, stable democracies tend to have politicians who remain loyal to their parties — sometimes even through defeat, internal disagreements or policy shifts. This consistency builds strong institutions and fosters a loyal support base. Nigerian politicians, on the other hand, treat political parties like commercial vehicles: they jump on when convenient and hop off when uncomfortable.
Some opposition figures claim their members are being hounded, and that institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are used to silence dissent. While there may be some truth to this, we must still ask: Where is the resistance? Where is the integrity? If a political party can be dismantled by a few threats or legal challenges, it indicates that it never had a solid foundation. True political opposition is not for the lily-livered or filthy-handed. If leaders buckle under pressure and blame others for their failure to survive, perhaps they shouldn’t be leaders in the first place.
Nigeria is not just risking APC dominance, but the emergence of a de facto one-party state. And, this is dangerous — not because of APC’s seeming tendentious acts, but because democracy requires competition to function. Without strong opposition, power goes unchecked, corruption festers and governance becomes a matter of loyalty over performance. And we fear Nigeria might fall into this frame because of the timidity and atomistic tendencies of the opposition parties.
Although a one-party dispensation offers benefits such as political stability, efficient decision-making, national unity, long-term development and fewer political conflicts, our political history and multicultural heritage do not recommend this, for now. Given our peculiar tendencies, it might be abused and not deliver the benefits that countries that prioritise unity and development over multiparty competition prefer. Multi-party democracy is what we need with all its checks and balances.
Countries like the U.S., U.K., Ghana and Canada thrive politically because they have cultivated at least two strong parties that represent competing ideas and policy visions. Nigeria must evolve into a system with at least two ideologically grounded, nationally competitive political parties — rather than dozens of paper-weight entities driven by prebendal opportunism.
It’s time for Nigerians to stop blaming the ruling party for everything. If the APC has become dominant, it is because the opposition has failed to rise to the challenge. The opposition needs to organise, build structures, communicate a vision and offer real leadership. Doing otherwise and expecting patronage is taking the system for granted.
Notwithstanding, the ruling party must also be held accountable for its own actions. It must show leadership and refrain from actions that may give impetus to insinuations of strong-arm tactics. Nonetheless, blaming the ruling party for the self-inflicted wounds of the opposition would be indulging the latter, which is not only lazy but dangerous. Democracy thrives not only when governments are kept in check, but also when challengers are strong, principled and persistent. Pointing accusing fingers does not absolve the opposition of blame for the incapacity to confront challenges.
Nigeria’s political elites — across all parties — owe the nation better. The good news is that we have brilliant minds among us. From Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at the African Development Bank (AfDB), to Ms. Amina Mohammed at the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and Prof. Benedict Oramah at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), we have demonstrated that Nigerian excellence can rise to global standards. It’s time to demand that same excellence from those who seek to govern us politically in this country.
Until our political culture matures beyond the blame game and embraces accountability, Nigeria’s democracy will remain a house built on shifting sand.