The Looming One-party State And Its Potential Danger In Nigeria -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

The current state of affairs in the country with the gale of defection from the opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is a cause for concern for all well-meaning Nigeria. With the coming of the APC regime, the Nigeria hard-worn Democracy wrestled from the jaws of the military juntas seems imperiled. In the name of politics, the current regime has destroyed what looked democracy in Nigeria. The judiciary which is said to be hope of the common man is destroyed, the National Assembly is the presidential rubber stamp. There is no checks and balances as we have executive recklessness with masses bearing the brunt. And its quest to operate like the Lord of the Manor, the current regime has turned its mischief to the opposition with the sole aim of destroying it. It is no longer news that the speculated defection of Senator Arthur Okowa to the APC has been done together with the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. The entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta State has collapsed into the APC. And there are indications that the other states especially in the south would follow. It is also insinuated that one of the conditions stipulated to reinstate governor Fubara of Rivers State who was illegally suspended by the Tinubu, is his defection to the ruling party, APC.

There is no gainsaying that these defections result from intimidation from the ruling party that has infiltrated the opposition. The ruling party has used the state institutions like the judiciary and the anti-crime agencies to intimidate people and induce unwarranted cross-carpeting. The ruling party has not done anything good to warrant mass defection into its fold. The country is in a sorry state, economically, socially and politically. The country is having the worst form of leadership ever. So, it is an irony to see politicians decamping into the group that has brought the country to its knees.

I am particularly saddened by this ugly development that portend grave danger to our nascent democracy as the country is sliding dangerously into a one-party state. First, by leaving governance and concentrating on destroying opposition, the ruling party is denying the citizenry good and credible leadership. Without credible opposition, democracy is as good as dead. This because the ruling party can do whatever it wills and go scot-free since the electorates have no choice of changing them.

Another implication of this is that it will usher in an era of authoritarianism. Nigeria is creating a dictator and a maximum ruler that can do whatever pleases him. Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu removed an elected governor and got retroactive approval from its rubber stamp legislators and Nigerians kept quiet. He used that to intimidate the other governors especially those from the opposition. As the 2027 election beckons, Tinubu is tightening his vise grip on the nation creating fear and anguish in the land. The culture of impunity is institutionalized. State agents are becoming lawless; human rights are violated flagrantly. Hooliganism and thuggery have been elevated to instrument of governance.

Another effect of this unfortunate development will be that corruption will increase in leaps and bounds in the country. We know that those who have corrupt cases will have their cases discontinued once they join the ruling party. We are aware of the case of Femi Fani-Kayode and others that have gone to the APC. With this, it means that the governors and those in government offices can do whatever pleases them as long as they are in the ruling party, while the anti-graft agencies look the other way and concentrate on the struggling street boys.

Moreover, with dictatorship and culture of impunity will come crime and social vices and insecurity. Insecurity in the country now is the direct consequence of government negligence and corruption. Most of the kidnappers and bandits operating on our highways were armed directly and indirectly by the government. Some of them are abandoned armed thugs used by the politicians to rig election, some are frustrated jobless youth while some are armed by selfish politicians to create instability in the land in order to advance their political interest.

For democracy in Nigeria and by extension the country to survive, this ugly trend must be reversed immediately. The force behind this gale of defection is obviously masterminded by Tinubu so as to make it possible for him to manipulate the 2007 election with ease. Without mincing word, Tinubu administration has been a disaster of a sort to the nation. And from the look of things, he is not willing to work to change the dwindling fortunes of the nation but fixated on the upcoming 2007 election. And from all indications, he turned all the instrument of government towards his ambition to perpetuate himself to power.

Nigerians must wake up to this looming threat to our democracy and existence as a nation. All well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy should speak up. The citizens should be sensitized to know the true state of affairs and resist the attempt to mortgage their future into the hands of reactionary elements holding the nation at ransom. Members of the opposition should step up their game. We expect the opposition to form a democratic coalition and mobilize Nigerians to resist the APC’s invidious plot against the nation. It is time to bring to life the rumored mega party to combat the monster, the APC.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK