Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria is gradually sliding towards authoritarianism and could potentially transform into a one-party state if current political trends continue unchecked.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television's Hard Copy programme on Saturday, Ozekhome expressed deep concern over what he described as a growing erosion of political diversity and ideological identity in Nigeria's democratic landscape.
The Dangers of a One-Party System
"In a one-party state, dictatorship reigns supreme. Everybody will agree. National Assembly pocketed, judiciary will be pocketed, and everybody will be saying 'yes, yes, yes,'" Ozekhome cautioned during the interview.
The senior lawyer condemned the increasing pattern of political defections and opportunistic party-switching among Nigerian politicians, describing it as symptomatic of weak ideological foundations within the nation's political class.
"It's like beans, akara, and moi-moi; they're the same," he remarked, using a food analogy to illustrate how Nigerian political parties have become indistinguishable in terms of ideology and principles.
Historical Lessons and Current Concerns
Drawing from Nigeria's political history, Ozekhome recalled how the former ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) had once confidently proclaimed a 60-year reign, only to be unseated after 16 years. He warned that similar complacency could breed authoritarianism under the current administration.
The constitutional lawyer specifically pointed to President Bola Tinubu's consolidation of loyalists across key government institutions as a concerning development. He cautioned that if opposition forces remain fragmented and ineffective, the upcoming 2027 general elections could essentially become a one-sided contest.
"When a democracy begins to lose its plurality of ideas and diversity of political platforms, it risks degenerating into an autocratic system where dissent is stifled and accountability diminishes."
Ozekhome's warnings come at a time when Nigeria's democratic institutions face increasing scrutiny amid economic challenges and security concerns across the country.
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