Politics

Opposition political parties in Nigeria on Saturday resolved to form a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, including plans to field a single presidential candidate, as they accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of undermining democracy. The resolution, contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a national summit in Ibadan, warned against what participants described as attempts by the APC to impose a one-party state on the country. The parties pledged to “resist all machinations” that could threaten Nigeria’s multi-party system.

The PDP chairman noted that the Ibadan ruling was only one of several judgments of the Federal High Court on the matter and that the core issues were already before the Court of Appeal. He described the decision as “technically academic” pending an authoritative pronouncement by the appellate court. Turaki reassured party members that the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remained “legally intact and firmly in place,” and committed to what he described as the party’s ongoing rebirth.

The Atiku Media Office responded to jibes about the former vice president’s age by drawing attention to the age and health of the APC’s own leader. “If Atiku, a far healthier, mentally sharper, and globally respected statesman, is ‘too old’ to aspire at 79, then what do we call a visibly frail leader whose true age remains one of the country’s best-kept mysteries?” the release asked. 

The suppression of opposition undermines the fundamental tenets of democracy by stifling dissent, eroding public trust in institutions, and limiting voter choice. When the judiciary and politicians collaborate, wittingly or unwittingly, to silence alternative voices, accountability suffers and democratic norms weaken. As seen during the Shagari era, these practices can precipitate political crises, disenfranchise citizens, and pave the way for authoritarian interventions, such as military coups.

When a political party becomes a safe haven for every power-seeker and opportunistic defector, when individuals lacking genuine conviction flock like moths to the allure of authority, disaster is inevitable. Any organization founded on greed and self-interest is destined to crumble. The evidence is everywhere—politicians from all sides are converging on the ruling party. Governors, senators, and former adversaries now speak with a united voice. Their motivations are not rooted in patriotism or shared beliefs, but rather in personal gain. Their alignment with the APC is not a matter of ideology; it is a calculated move to maintain influence in the corridors where national resources are distributed.

Supportive media coverage can inadvertently validate disparaging remarks or aggressive criticism directed at political adversaries. When platforms, particularly those in bed with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), provide extensive airtime to statements that undermine opposition party unity or target specific individuals, the result may be an erosion of internal cohesion. In the case of the PDP, frequent media reporting on internal disagreements—particularly those involving high-profile figures like Wike -- can contribute to perceptions of division and crisis, regardless of the underlying realities.