One-party system will stifle democracy

One-party system in Nigeria’s democracy is not the wish of Nigerians, we want to see diversification, we want other people to be given their chances.  I believe democracy thrives when there is healthy competition; when people have real choices, and when ideas are tested through debate, not imposed through dominance.  A one-party system stifles dissent, […]

One-party system in Nigeria’s democracy is not the wish of Nigerians, we want to see diversification, we want other people to be given their chances. 

I believe democracy thrives when there is healthy competition; when people have real choices, and when ideas are tested through debate, not imposed through dominance. 

A one-party system stifles dissent, silences innovation and creates a dangerous sense of complacency among leaders.

 We have seen what happens when power is concentrated in the hands of a few for too long. It breeds corruption, fosters impunity, and disconnects leaders from the people they are meant to serve. 

• Bus terminal: ‘FCTA providing critical transport infrastructure in FCT’
• 2027: ADC vows to mobilise 35m voters to unseat APC, Tinubu

For example, in Zimbabwe under ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front), prolonged one-party dominance led to economic collapse and widespread political repression. 

In Uganda, decades of rule under a single party and its leader have weakened institutions and eroded democratic norms. 

Even in our own history, during the military regimes, opposition voices were often marginalised, leading to governance with little/zero accountability. 

These examples show that when a single party holds on to power without credible competition, the public suffers.

Nigeria is a diverse nation, with different ethnic groups, cultures, religions and political ideologies. 

To suggest that one party can represent all of that is to ignore the very fabric of our society. We need a vibrant opposition to check the excesses of the ruling party, to offer alternative solutions, and to ensure accountability. 

Without opposition, governance becomes authoritarian in nature, and the voices of ordinary Nigerians are drowned.

Even within a party, internal democracy is often weak, so how then can a single party be expected to reflect the full will of the people? 

True development comes from inclusion, debate, collaboration, and compromise. It comes from a system where every citizen feels heard, where every group has a platform, and where leadership is earned, not inherited or imposed. 

A one-party system undermines these values and threatens the very essence of democracy.

We do not want to be ruled by a monopoly of power. We want freedom of choice, we want accountability, and we want our democracy to grow stronger, not weaker. 

It is not unpatriotic to desire alternatives, it is in fact a sign of a maturing democracy. Nigeria deserves better. The people deserve better. And it starts with protecting the sanctity of multi-party democracy.

I hope you will reflect deeply on the concerns of the people and champion a more inclusive and competitive political environment. 

I wish you continued wisdom and strength in your leadership, as you navigate the responsibilities of your position for the good of all Nigerians.

 

Ahmed Zannah Farah wrote through [email protected]