A leading human rights advocate has issued a stark warning that Nigeria is drifting perilously towards a one-party state, a situation he says is being fueled by a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Defections: A March Towards Dictatorship?
Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), raised the alarm in a statement on Monday, December 15, 2025. He argued that the movement of governors, senators, and House of Representatives members from opposition platforms to the APC is not mere political maneuvering.
"This is the slow march toward a civilian dictatorship cloaked in democratic garb," Zikirullahi stated. He accused politicians of being coerced, bribed, or pressured into joining the ruling party, prioritizing personal survival and access to state resources over governance and citizen welfare.
Global Lessons and Local Consequences
To underscore the danger, Zikirullahi pointed to the experiences of other nations. He cited countries like Zimbabwe, Russia, Cameroon, and Kenya, where prolonged one-party dominance led to severe economic collapse, civil unrest, hyperinflation, and widespread human suffering.
He connected this global pattern to Nigeria's current trajectory, warning of dire consequences for ordinary citizens. These include worsening poverty, increased insecurity, a collapse of social services, mass migration abroad, and a deep psychological despair among the populace.
Institutions Accused of Enabling the Drift
The human rights expert did not spare key democratic institutions. He criticized the National Assembly for approving defections without proper scrutiny and for silencing opposition voices, effectively becoming a rubber stamp. He also implicated the judiciary, accusing it of legitimizing these defections through partisan rulings.
"When opposition is silenced, when the legislature becomes a rubber stamp, and when courts seal corruption, dictatorship arrives not with guns, it arrives with applause," Zikirullahi warned.
A Call for Resistance and Accountability
Zikirullahi concluded with a powerful call to action, urging civil society organizations, the media, the judiciary, and opposition parties to unite in resisting the erosion of democratic norms. He emphasized that the future of Nigeria depends on the courage of its people to demand accountability and insist on a vibrant, multi-party democracy.
"History teaches us that unchecked power breeds chaos, disasters, and human casualties," he said. "The future of Nigeria depends on the courage of its people to resist the march toward one-party dominance and insist on a democracy that truly serves the people."
