Democracy at a Crossroads: Who’s Really to Blame for Nigeria’s Weak Opposition?
By Temidayo Akinsuyi
Recently, a group of 17 prominent Nigerians—including human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu, political scientist Prof. Adele Jinadu, former presidential adviser Babafemi Ojudu, and lawyer Richard Akinnola—issued a public warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing concern that the country may be veering toward a de facto one-party system.
Their statement, titled “Defending Democracy: A Call to Resist the March Toward a One-Party State in Nigeria,” accuses the Tinubu administration of systematically weakening Nigeria’s democratic fabric. They allege that tactics such as coercion, bribery, and intimidation are being used to erode opposition parties, leading to widespread defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In response, the presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. Onanuga criticized the activists, labeling them hypocrites who celebrated when APC figures defected to opposition parties but are now outraged when the reverse happens. He argued that individuals joining the APC are simply exercising their democratic rights.
While Onanuga’s tone may have been harsh, he made a noteworthy point: the weakness of Nigeria’s opposition is largely self-inflicted. It’s not the president’s job to unite opposition parties or ensure
