The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has raised a critical alarm, stating that the ongoing wave of political defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) represents a severe danger to Nigeria's democratic system. The group frames this trend as a clear indicator of a creeping dictatorship taking root in the country.
Defections Driven by Survival, Not Ideology
In a statement released on Monday, December 15, 2025, CHRICED's Executive Director, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, argued that the steady migration of elected officials to the ruling party is eroding political pluralism and weakening democratic accountability. He emphasized that these moves are largely motivated by political pressure, inducements, and a quest for personal survival, especially with the 2027 general elections on the horizon, rather than any genuine alignment with APC's policies or ideology.
Zikirullahi pointed to the recent, high-profile defections of governors from states historically controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as stark evidence of a shrinking political opposition. He specifically named Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, all of whom have abandoned the mandates given to them by voters to join the APC since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in May 2023.
Institutional Failures and the Path to One-Party Rule
The rights organization also expressed deep concern over the failure of key democratic institutions to act as necessary checks on executive power. CHRICED accused the National Assembly of remaining silent on the constitutional ramifications of mass defections. Furthermore, it criticized the judiciary, stating that court rulings on party-switching and electoral disputes have inadvertently legitimized opportunistic political behavior.
"Nigeria's democracy will not collapse overnight; it will wither silently if defections and arrogance go unchallenged," Zikirullahi stated. "Each defection is not a harmless political move but a betrayal of the people's mandate, a brick removed from the foundation of accountability."
Dire Consequences and a Call to Action
CHRICED warned that unchecked one-party dominance could lead to devastating outcomes for Nigeria, including weakened oversight, escalating insecurity, deepening poverty, and a collapse of public trust in the electoral process. The group drew parallels with other nations where the suppression of opposition voices led to the gradual, silent suffocation of democracy.
"When opposition is silenced, when the legislature becomes a rubber stamp, and when the judiciary seals corruption, dictatorship does not arrive with guns—it arrives with applause," Zikirullahi cautioned. "The cost is clear: poverty deepens, insecurity spreads, hope dies, and citizens flee."
The organization issued a strong call to action, urging civil society groups, the media, and democratic institutions to resist this erosion of values. It also challenged opposition parties to rebuild themselves and present credible alternatives to the Nigerian people. Ultimately, CHRICED stressed that the survival of Nigeria's democracy hinges on vigilant citizens, strong institutions, accountable leadership, and the robust protection of opposition voices.
