LAGOS, Nigeria (FN), Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, warning that democracy is under threat as opposition parties weaken.
Bucknor-Akerele, who served under Bola Ahmed Tinubu from 1999 to 2002 before resigning over ideological differences, said the APC’s strategy of infiltrating rival parties and encouraging defections mirrors the dominance once enjoyed by the People’s Democratic Party. “We are sliding into dangerous territory where opposition voices are being silenced, and the people are left without alternatives,” she said at a recent political forum in Lagos.
A lawyer and activist, Bucknor-Akerele was elected deputy governor of Lagos in 1999 alongside Tinubu. She resigned in 2002, citing irreconcilable differences with the governor, and has remained a prominent voice in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement. Her resignation was one of the earliest high-profile breaks from Tinubu’s political camp, underscoring her reputation as a principled politician.
From 1999 to 2015, the PDP controlled the presidency and most states, creating what many described as a de facto one-party system. That dominance was broken in 2015 when the APC defeated President Goodluck Jonathan. Since then, the APC has held the presidency and expanded through defections, now controlling a majority of states and the National Assembly. Critics argue the party is using defections and internal opposition infiltration to entrench itself ahead of the 2027 elections.
Opposition leaders warn that Nigeria’s democracy could collapse if the APC succeeds in weakening rival parties. Civil society groups argue that strong opposition is essential for accountability in Africa’s largest democracy. Analysts note that defections from PDP to APC mirror one-party tendencies of the past, but caution that Nigeria’s diverse political landscape makes absolute dominance unlikely.
On social media, hashtags such as #SaveDemocracy and #OnePartyState trended as users expressed frustration over APC’s growing influence. Citizens debated whether APC’s strategy differs from PDP’s past dominance, with many pointing to worsening economic conditions as a key factor. Youth activists argued that both APC and PDP have failed to deliver, calling for new political movements to challenge the status quo.
Globally, one-party systems have produced mixed results. China’s Communist Party has maintained tight control since 1949, overseeing rapid economic growth and lifting millions out of poverty, but drawing criticism for human rights abuses and lack of political freedoms. The former Soviet Union rose to superpower status through rapid industrialization and military strength yet collapsed in 1991 under the weight of authoritarianism and economic stagnation. In North Korea, the Kim dynasty has preserved regime stability and military power, but the country suffers from famine, poverty, and isolation. Cuba’s Communist Party achieved universal healthcare and education, with high literacy rates, but its economy has struggled for decades under sanctions and limited freedoms. In Africa, Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF initially expanded education and healthcare after independence, but corruption, hyperinflation, and political violence eroded those gains. Eritrea has maintained national unity since independence but is widely regarded as one of the most repressive states in the world. Vietnam’s Communist Party has overseen strong economic growth since the 1980s reforms, turning the country into a manufacturing hub, though restrictions on free speech and political opposition remain.
Nigeria still has many registered political parties, including the PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, SDP, APGA, ADC, NDC and other smaller platforms. However, critics argue APC’s dominance could stifle competition. Some analysts suggest opening elections to independent candidates as a way to counterbalance party control.
An independent candidate is someone who contests an election without affiliation to any political party, relying instead on personal credibility, grassroots support, and direct appeal to voters. Advocates say this could broaden democratic participation and give Nigerians alternatives beyond APC and PDP, ensuring that citizens are not forced to choose only between dominant parties.
The debate underscores growing tension as Nigeria approaches another pivotal vote in 2027, with questions about whether the country’s democratic institutions can withstand the pressure of one-party dominance.
