Diaspora group warns against ‘one-party state’

The President of Nigerians in Diaspora for Good Governance Organization, Raymond Edoh, has raised concerns over what he described as “troubling signals” of an attempt to steer Nigeria toward a one-party system, warning that such a move would undermine democratic principles. Addressing a press conference, Edoh said Nigeria was at a “defining moment” where “the […]

The President of Nigerians in Diaspora for Good Governance Organization, Raymond Edoh, has raised concerns over what he described as “troubling signals” of an attempt to steer Nigeria toward a one-party system, warning that such a move would undermine democratic principles.

Addressing a press conference, Edoh said Nigeria was at a “defining moment” where “the very foundations of democratic governance are being tested,” stressing that “the voices of the people must not be silenced, and the will of the electorate must not be subverted.”

He warned that democracy “thrives on plurality, healthy opposition, and the freedom of political expression,” adding that “any effort to frustrate these principles must be firmly resisted.”

The diaspora group also declared that the African Democratic Congress would not be intimidated, insisting that “political parties are the pillars of democracy, and any attempt to weaken or intimidate them is an attack on the Nigerian people themselves.”

Edoh reaffirmed support for David Mark as the legitimate leader of the party, warning that “any attempt to distort this reality through institutional manipulation will be met with firm and lawful resistance.”

He further cautioned that Nigerian youths were prepared to mobilise for peaceful protests if the Independent National Electoral Commission fails to uphold “justice, transparency, and constitutional order.”

“To the youth of Nigeria, we say this clearly: your unity is your strength,” he said, adding that young people had “spoken with one voice—rejecting political intimidation, rejecting oppression, and rejecting any attempt to undermine your future.”

The group also called on the INEC Chairman to resign, saying the move was necessary to restore public confidence in the electoral system.

“The credibility of our electoral system rests heavily on the integrity and impartiality of its leadership. Therefore, we call on the Chairman of INEC to honourably resign… to restore public trust and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy,” Edoh said.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “rise to this moment in history” by upholding democratic values and ensuring fairness, accountability and the rule of law.

“As President and father of the nation, he must stand for truth and uphold the democratic principles that brought him into office,” he added.

The organisation also appealed to the international community, including institutions such as the United States Department of State and the United Nations, to monitor developments in Nigeria and support democratic governance.

Edoh further called on Nigeria’s three arms of government—the executive, legislature and judiciary—to uphold their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that “the survival of our democracy depends on the balance and integrity of these institutions.”

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain united in defence of democratic ideals, saying, “Nigeria belongs to all of us. Its future must not be determined by intimidation, manipulation, or the concentration of power in the hands of a few.”