Nigeria appears to be entering a defining moment in its democratic journey, sadly this journey is not a pleasant one. Developments within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) raise troubling questions about the health of internal party democracy and, by extension, the future of democratic governance in the country. What is unfolding suggests a gradual but noticeable drift toward a system where choice is increasingly limited, and open and free democratic participation is constrained.
For many observers, expectations were high that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, long regarded as a pro-democracy figure, would strengthen democratic institutions and deepen political inclusiveness. However, recent events have cast a shadow over that perception. Since his inauguration, opposition parties have been plagued by internal crises, which may not be his making; many of which have played out in prolonged legal battles. While political rivalry is not unusual in a democracy, the weakening of opposition platforms raises concerns about the emergence of a dominant-party system with little effective challenge, leading to moderate authoritarianism.
The rapid political realignments across the country further underscore this concern. A growing number of governors and key political actors from opposition parties have defected to the APC, significantly expanding the party’s control. Today, the ruling party dominates the majority of states, consolidating power at an unprecedented scale. While this may be seen as a political strategy, it also fuels fears of power imbalance that could erode competitive democracy.
More troubling, however, is the apparent decline of internal democracy within the APC itself. Reports from recent ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses point to a pattern of candidate imposition under the guise of “consensus.” In many instances, aspirants who purchased nomination forms were allegedly denied the opportunity to contest, while others were sidelined entirely. This raises a fundamental question: can a process be described as consensus when it excludes participation, consultation, and genuine agreement?
Consensus, in its true democratic sense, implies negotiation, inclusiveness, and voluntary agreement among stakeholders. What appears to be practised, however, in APC is a top-down approach where a select few determine outcomes behind closed doors and present them as final decisions. Dissenting voices, rather than being accommodated, are often met with sanctions, including suspension. Such practices not only undermine party cohesion but also weaken the democratic ethos the party claims to uphold.
The implications of this trend extend beyond party politics. If internal party processes become devoid of competition and transparency, the broader electoral system risks being compromised. There are growing concerns that if opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remain entangled in internal disputes, they may struggle to present credible candidates in future elections. Such a scenario would leave voters with limited or no real alternatives—effectively reducing elections to mere formalities.
Democracy thrives on choice, competition, and the active participation of citizens. An election without viable alternatives is, in essence, a hollow exercise. It is this possibility that now alarms many Nigerians: the gradual transformation of a vibrant, albeit imperfect, democracy into a system where outcomes are predetermined, and participation is symbolic.
Nigeria’s democratic gains were hard-fought and must not be taken for granted. The responsibility to safeguard them lies not only with political leaders but also with citizens, civil society, and institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law. The warning signs are becoming increasingly visible, and ignoring them could have far-reaching consequences.
If the current trajectory continues unchecked, the country risks normalising a culture of political imposition masked as consensus. That is not democracy. It is its quiet erosion.