By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
A civil society group, Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN), has raised concerns over what it described as a coordinated attempt to weaken opposition parties in Nigeria, warning that the country may be drifting towards a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on April 12, 2026, and signed by its Media Coordinator, Aisha Bello, the group accused the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of pursuing a deliberate agenda to fragment opposition parties and consolidate power.
OWN said Nigeria’s democracy is “under siege,” alleging that the judiciary has increasingly become a battleground for political contests, where legal processes are used to stall and divide opposition forces.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented era where the judiciary has become a primary theatre for political warfare, used to weaken any viable alternative to the ruling party,” the statement said.
The group pointed to ongoing crises within major opposition parties as evidence of what it termed “state-sponsored fragmentation.” It cited the internal disputes in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that court cases and external influences have frustrated reconciliation efforts within the party.
It also referenced the leadership tussles in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that factional disputes and litigation have diverted attention from holding the government accountable.
According to OWN, similar patterns are emerging in other parties, including the Accord Party, where it said recent developments involving Ademola Adeleke have triggered parallel primaries and ownership disputes. The group added that even newer political movements like the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are already facing internal challenges.
The group warned that the weakening of opposition parties poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic system, stressing that a one-party state would erode constitutional checks and balances.
“A one-party state is not just a threat to political aspirants; it is a death knell for the judiciary and other organs of government,” OWN stated, adding that such a development could reduce the judiciary to “a rubber stamp for executive actions.”
OWN further alleged that the focus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has shifted from governance to securing a second term for the president by eliminating credible opposition.
The group called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to resist what it described as a drift toward authoritarianism. It urged the judiciary to maintain neutrality, opposition leaders to unite, and institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to avoid being used for political purposes.
“Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, not a single political interest. The survival of our democracy depends on a vibrant, healthy opposition,” the group said.
