APC’s Drift The Country Toward A One-Party System -By Abba Dukawa

A strong opposition is not a political luxury it is the lifeblood of democracy. Without it, democracy does not merely weaken; it begins to wither. In Nigeria, as in any true democracy, opposition parties are the guardians of accountability, the voice of dissent, and the assurance that power does not become absolute.

When citizens see credible alternatives, they believe again. They vote, they engage, they hope. But when that choice fades—when the political space narrows—so too does public faith. Democracy then risks becoming a hollow ritual, not a living promise.

Today, Nigeria stands at a delicate crossroads with growing dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across federal, state, and legislative structures is no longer just a reflection of electoral success—it is a signal, a warning of a system tilting toward one-party control. While victory is earned in politics, unchecked dominance is dangerous.

At the heart of democracy lies competition real, vibrant, and uncompromising. Yet, opposition parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), now appear fractured, weakened, and struggling to inspire confidence. African Democratic Congress (ADC) also engulf in leadership crisis. What emerges in their absence is not stability, but silence. silence in a democracy is never neutralit is perilous.

When one party controls the levers of power so completely, checks and balances begin to erode. Oversight weakens. Accountability fades. The legislature risks becoming an echo chamber, and dissenting voices are pushed to the margins. In such an environment, power is no longer questioned—it is merely exercised.

The consequences stretch far beyond politics. Governance itself begins to change. Decision-making grows distant, less consultative, more insulated. Federalism weakens as states align not out of shared vision, but out of political necessity. Institutions—meant to stand firm and impartial—risk becoming extensions of party influence.

And then comes the quiet danger: public disengagement. When citizens begin to feel that outcomes are predetermined, that their voices no longer shape the future, they withdraw. Voter apathy rises. Trust erodes. Democracy loses not just participation, but legitimacy.

Yet, even within dominance, new fractures emerge. Without a strong opposition, the battle for power turns inward. Factionalism deepens. Internal rivalries intensify. Governance is no longer driven by national interest, but by political survival and elite bargaining.

Even the economy is not immune.
While some may argue that a dominant party offers stability, true economic confidence rests on transparency, accountability, and strong institutions. Without these, dominance breeds uncertainty, not growth. Investors do not just seek stability they seek fairness, predictability, and trust in governance.

This moment, therefore, is not just about one party’s rise. It is about the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy itself. Institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and civil society must now carry an even heavier burden to remain impartial, courageous, and unyielding in the face of political pressure. The media must speak. Citizens must remain vigilant. Democracy must be defended not in words, but in action.

For democracy does not die in a single moment. It fades slowly, quietly when opposition weakens, when institutions bend, and when citizens lose faith. Nigeria must not allow that silence to take hold.

Ultimately, the implications of APC’s growing dominance depend on several factors: the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, the capacity of opposition parties to reorganize and present credible alternatives, and the vigilance of citizens, the media, and civil society.

Ensuring a level playing field for all political actors is not just a procedural necessity it is the very lifeblood of a thriving democracy. When fairness is compromised, pluralism begins to suffocate, and the voices of many risk being drowned out by the dominance of a few. The rise of the APC may stand as a testament to political strategy and organizational strength, but it also places a heavy burden on the conscience of our nation.

This moment is more than a political milestone it is a defining test of Nigeria’s democratic soul. Will power be wielded as a tool for collective progress, or will it harden into an instrument of exclusion and control? The answer lies not in how much power is amassed, but in how responsibly it is exercised, how firmly it is checked, and how courageously it is challenged within the bounds of our Constitution.

Ultimately, the future will not be decided by the strength of the APC alone, but by the resilience of the system that surrounds it. “Let the APC learn from the missteps of the once-vibrant PDP, whose leadership, brimming with arrogance, confidently claimed they would govern for sixty years yet lasted only sixteen. Will power be held to account, or merely endured? The answers lie not only with those who govern, but with those who choose not to remain silent.

Let the ruling party understand this critical reality: while some elective officials may be abandoning ship and joining the party, the people—the voters remain unwavering in their loyalty. In the northern states of Nigeria, this trend is particularly pronounced, revealing a widening gap between political maneuvering and the true will of the electorate. The message is unmistakable: popularity at the ballot box cannot be secured through defections alone, for the grassroots remain the ultimate arbiter of political legitimacy.

Dukawa write from Abuja can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com