As the petitions stemming from the 2023 general elections draw to a close, Nigeria faces a potential shift toward a one-party state, a development acknowledged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which attributes the situation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Labour Party (LP), however, contends that essential institutions shaping democracy have been entirely influenced by the executive.
The PDP, formerly the ruling party until 2015, now holds the position of the primary opposition party. Despite this, the party appears to struggle in assuming its role as the leading opposition voice. The recent mass dismissal of several PDP and LP members exacerbates the situation, with surviving lawmakers seemingly less inclined to fulfill the role of a vibrant opposition.
Dr. Aliyu Danko, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, expressed concern over the losses suffered by the PDP in the judiciary, emphasizing the need for a robust opposition. He criticized some decisions of the Appeal Court, stating, “The court judgments have not helped Nigeria in any way. In fact, they’ve muddled up some of the judgments in our electoral process.”
Danko pointed out allegations of institutional influence, saying, “The Nigeria Police has a big challenge regarding doing the right thing. We are alleging that the Nigeria Police is now under the pulpit of the executive and not in the hands of the Nigerian people anymore.”
He further lamented the compromised integrity of institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating, “You now have the judiciary which was supposed to be the hope of the common man; they have faded away completely into the thin air.”
Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, expressed concerns about the democratic threat, particularly citing the compromise and lack of integrity demonstrated by INEC in running elections. Ologunagba emphasized the need to fix the electoral system, stating, “What is going on, we’re drifting gradually to totalitarianism and a one-party state, which is not good for democracy.”
He called for the judiciary to play a strong role in preserving the rule of law and democracy, stating, “The judiciary must on its own be willing to be a very strong arm of the government and an institution that will help develop the culture of democracy in ensuring that the rule of law is preserved.