Nigeria’s Looming One-Party State: A Democracy Under Threat With Charismatic Leaders.
Eben Enasco Reporting.
The recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is a source of worries for democracy and its sustainability.
As the opposition’s strength wanes, concerns about the country tilting toward a one-party state are growing and has generated a heated debate in offices, social gatherings and every space available about Nigeria’s democratic future.
However, the APC’s growing dominance is undeniable with several opposition governors and lawmakers defecting to the ruling party, the APC’s grip on power seems to be tightening.
Many have argued that this is a sign of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and policies.
However, critics see it as a worrying trend toward authoritarianism and a system headed in the direction of a charismatic leadership but pretending to be operating a democratic system.
Amidst this, the opposition’s struggles are evident.
The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, once a formidable force, is now grappling with internal crises and defections.
Other opposition parties, like the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, are also facing similar challenges.
This is as the new collaborating party, Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, attempts to do a push back, but gradually slides into a similar crisis that has rocked the foundation of the one’s acclaimed biggest party in Africa, the PDP.
Notable figures like the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amechi, Peter Obi, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and the likes have risen to form alliances with other political parties, but the issue with credibility and trust seems to be putting a question mark in the move.
Being a complex state, it is obvious that Nigerians will not like to settle with authoritarianism, but have no ultimate confidence in those championing the game plans.
They see it as remaining in an old wound than securing a fresh injury where the position now leaving
the opposition’s weakness emboldens the APC, which seems increasingly confident in its ability to maintain power for more years to come under president Tinubu.
A one-party state poses significant risks to Nigeria’s democracy and without a strong opposition, the ruling party may become complacent and less accountable to the people.
This could lead to poor governance, corruption, and human rights abuses and borrowing over boundaries as there will be no one to challenge the ills.
Moreover, a lack of competition could stifle innovation and progress, ultimately harming the country’s development.
Nowadays, there are six single-party states with only one legal political party.
These include North Korea, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, and Eritrea, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan that are de facto single-party states.
What the APC government is likely to achieve may not be a single party but contemporary to Russia’s practices under President Vladimir Putin who allows many political parties, including those in opposition to his government.
A typical feat remains the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is a member of the opposition party but works for the ruling APC.
But what does this mean for Nigeria’s democracy, and can the trend be reversed?
The world has changed since the times of the Soviet Union.
However, communist ideas are still present in some regions, and they have been the basis for most one-party states that still exist.
China, Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korea are well-known examples.
One-party states are those in which only one party has total political control of all institutions, and the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers work favorably for that party.
Therefore, there is no division of powers although, in theory, all powers are self-governing and states proclaim to be democracies.
One-party states claim to represent the base of society: the working class.
They are usually very autocratic, based on the allegation that they stand for the entire population and there are no particular political interests among the population.
The party is usually led by a charismatic leader who stays in power for years or even decades.
A cult of personality often grows around him, becoming an admired figure. His pictures are all over, and followers see him almost as a local messiah.
Opposition parties are rare. In some cases, all opposition is outlawed, while in others, the opposition is allowed to exist and participate in elections but not to obtain any political relevance.
One-party states are also known for having elevated military expenses. Plenty of resources are invested to keep high-rank military officials close and eliminate the risk of uprisings.
To legitimize the military expenses, foreign opinions are often cataloged as threats to national security and used for nationalistic propaganda.
Usually, two or more parties share the political power of a country. The absence of a division of powers in one-party states leads to a corrupt administration.
The party leaders and closest associates become extremely rich while most of the population often faces very hard times.
Cuba was a military dictatorship. With the Cuban Revolution between 1953 and 1959, the government shifted into a Leninist regime that remains in power. Cuba was the closest ally of the Soviet Union in the Americas.
As Nigerians plead, “Our Father who art in heaven, gives us this day our daily bread,” the irony is stark: amidst abundance, as the move may cripple democracy.
Verily, God exists and keeps his words but man who is a creator from God breaks the covenant living millions of families in famine who are not able to keep their homes together.
The anguished cries of Nigerians have become a persistent refrain, highlighting the stark disparity in leadership opportunities.
While a privileged few reap substantial rewards from the autocratic system, the majority struggle to make ends meet, unable to access even the basic necessities that are rightfully theirs.
As Nigeria teeters on the brink of a one-party state, it’s essential for citizens, civil society, and the opposition to act.
The opposition must regroup, reorganize, and offer a credible alternative to the ruling party.
Civil society organizations must continue to hold the government accountable and promote democratic values.
Citizens, too, must exercise their rights and demand a continuation of democratic governance.