ADC Warns Nigeria May Become One-Party State Before 2027

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that a coordinated campaign is underway to weaken opposition parties and shrink the country’s democratic space.

The party raised the alarm in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside an earlier judgment recognising the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).

According to the ADC, the court’s decision is not an isolated development but part of a broader pattern of legal and administrative actions targeted at undermining opposition parties and consolidating political power.

“The cumulative effect of these attacks is unmistakable: they weaken the opposition, narrow the democratic space and strengthen the hands of those already in power. This is not how a healthy democracy functions,” the statement said.

The party argued that the controversy surrounding the NDC goes beyond the fate of a single political platform, insisting that it raises fundamental questions about the health of Nigeria’s democracy and the ability of opposition parties to operate freely.

It maintained that endless litigation and what it described as “manufactured controversies” divert opposition parties from engaging Nigerians on policy issues while denying citizens the opportunity to choose from credible political alternatives.

The ADC further accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of fostering an environment that undermines fair political competition, stressing that democracy can only flourish where institutions remain impartial and all political actors are treated equally before the law.

“As the 2027 general election approaches, it is imperative that the judiciary safeguards its independence and resists any action capable of eroding public confidence in the electoral process,” the party stated.

Abdullahi said the judiciary remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s democracy and must not be perceived as an institution used to advance partisan political interests.

“The judiciary remains one of the last lines of defence for our democracy and must never be perceived as an arena where political battles are settled on behalf of those who wield executive power. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done,” he said.

The party warned that any perception of judicial bias or partisanship could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and public trust in democratic institutions.

It, therefore, called on opposition parties, civil society organisations, the legal community, organised labour, the media and Nigerians to unite in defending democratic institutions and preserving the country’s multi-party political system.

The ADC also insisted that constitutional rights, including freedom of association and political participation, must be protected, pledging to continue resisting what it described as attempts to undermine democratic governance and limit political pluralism in the country.