Recent political activities in the country indicate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consolidated power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The opposition appears weakened, fragmented, and increasingly co-opted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Experts say this consolidation of power under Tinubu mirrors the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Obasanjo’s era.
The 2003 elections under the Obasanjo-led administration were a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political history.
The PDP secured an overwhelming majority in the national legislature and won most state governorships, reducing opposition parties to a shadow of their former selves.
Ahead of 2027, Tinubu’s APC appears to be following a similar playbook. Opposition figures are defecting en masse, enticed by the lure of political relevance, financial incentives, and the promise of patronage.
Many opposition leaders face pressure from their constituents, who see alignment with the ruling party as a pathway to resources and opportunities.
Political analysts say Tinubu’s consolidation of power, while a testament to his political acumen, shows the systemic weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“As the 2027 elections approach, the challenge for opposition parties is not just to survive but to redefine themselves as credible alternatives capable of inspiring confidence among a disenchanted electorate.
“The stakes are high. If the opposition fails to regroup and present a united front, Nigeria risks returning to a one-party dominant system, reminiscent of the early 2000s, where electoral competition exists only in name.
“For democracy to thrive, the opposition must find a way to resist co-optation, rebuild its grassroots support, and challenge the pervasive culture of patronage that continues to shape Nigerian politics,” Professor Omo Omoruyi of the famed Centre for Democratic Studies, stated.