Stifling Opposition Ahead Of 2027 Elections

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explicitly indicated its intention to steer the nation towards a one-party state. Despite ongoing denials regarding such an initiative, substantial evidence exists that contradicts these assertions.

In a widely circulated video, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was seen advising Honorable Leke Abejide against defecting from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urging him instead to remain within the party to facilitate its disintegration.

He assured Honorable Abejide that the federal government was firmly backing him in his legal challenge against the legitimacy of the ADC’s national leadership, headed by Senator David Mark. Subsequently, the Federal High Court in Abuja mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC along with four other parties: the Action Alliance, Zenith Labour Party, Accord Party, and Action Peoples Party. It required intervention from the Appeal Court to suspend the deregistration.

Additionally, a similar court ruling has been issued against the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) by a Kogi State High Court, which had previously ordered the party’s registration. At the moment, there is a back and forth as to whether the Kogi Court overturned NDC registration even as the party is reported to have filed an appeal.

While the ‘one-party’ initiative is being denied at the national level, Imo State has been declared a one-party state, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the sole governing party. Governor Hope Uzodimma, in making this declaration, insisted that the state would cast all its votes in the 2027 general elections for the APC.

To demonstrate the seriousness of this declaration, armed thugs have been invading the secretariats and meeting venues of opposition parties, vandalizing property and perpetrating violence against their members.

On Tuesday, July 14, armed assailants invaded a meeting of the NDC, damaging property such as plastic chairs and communication devices used during the gathering. Attendees were not spared, with some sustaining serious injuries, including broken skulls, bleeding noses, and lacerations.

In a subsequent attack on Sunday, July 19, the secretariat complexes of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and the APP located at Orji were targeted. Flex banners and other infrastructure belonging to both parties were destroyed during the invasion. It was the alarm raised by security personnel that compelled the attackers to retreat without gaining access to the secretariats. Notably, there was an attack at the residence of Hon. Imo Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, during which his uncle was brutally murdered. To date, no one has been brought to justice for this heinous act.

Each attack has been alleged to have been orchestrated by individuals loyal to the APC administration in the state, with an adviser to the government frequently accused of leading the assailants.

Unsurprisingly, the state government has neither denied the adviser’s involvement nor condemned the attacks on opposition parties.

It is evident that power is transient; regardless of how powerful a leader may be, their reign will inevitably come to an end. For Governor Hope Uzodimma, under whose watch these egregious acts are occurring, his governorship will inevitably conclude on January 15, 2028. It may even end sooner should he secure the Imo West Senatorial District seat, which he is contesting under the APC banner.

Once his tenure concludes, he will revert to being an ordinary citizen, devoid of any protective immunity. The perpetrators of vandalism will similarly find themselves without influence to shield them.

It is unreasonable for a victor to seek to monopolize power. Such a disposition resembles the confiscation of the people’s resources solely due to one’s access to public funds.

Opposition must be permitted to thrive in Nigeria, particularly in Imo State. Without opposition, the governing party risks becoming unrestrained, disregarding the populace, and acting recklessly. Opposition serves as a necessary check on the governing party, thereby reinforcing our democracy.

Moreover, it compels the governing party to moderate its actions for the common good. In essence, the opposition acts as a moral compass that guides the government toward the welfare of society.

All efforts by the governing APC to dismantle or incapacitate opposition must cease immediately. By now, the accomplishments of the governing party should be sufficient to support its bid for continued power beyond 2027. If it cannot rely on its achievements to secure a new mandate, it indicates a failure to perform adequately and necessitates a transition to another party. Governance should not be reduced to a matter of life and death.