By Adekunle Alaye
How do you explain a presidential candidate who is still in euphoria of the 2023 presidential election?Sequel to emotional blackmail. Or what Professor Wole Soyinka called “Gbaju e.”
The aphorism of the American Political Scientist (Harold Lasswell) that “Politics is Who gets What, When and How” is practically being played out in the current state of Nigerian Government and Politics.
It is always very fundamental, to juxtapose critically with no sense of subjective perceptions, especially when crucial issues of this kind are engulfed around constitutional implications.
Of course, I am in a sharp variance to the view of some people who have insinuated that Nigerian State, is sliding into One Party State. Or that President Tinubu/APC, is orchestrating the trend of Nigeria into a One Party State.
As a Political Scientist, it would be so preposterous of me though, to agree to such a subjective opinion, that a country like Nigeria, which is constitutionally operating a Multi Party System, be called or described as One Party State. Or to say it is sliding to a One Party State.
Fine, we can be emotional or politically sympathetic in our views where and when necessary. And that is why the great classical Greek scholar, Aristotle, of course refers to man as a “political animal”. However, we can not pretend about reality.
Contemporary or constitutional democracy, is not based on emotions, biases, sentiments, blackmails or insinuations. It is imperative and sacrosanct. Hence, it is also rooted legally and sophisticatedly, with no sense chauvinism.
Note please, there is a sharp variance between a One – Party State and a State with a one – party dominant system, which again can be what we call (popularity of a political party). If you ask me, this is exactly the current state of Nigerian Government and Politics. And not a One Party State.
As at November, 2025, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, 27 political parties have been registered so far in Nigeria. Hence, it is an aberration and inconceivable to refer to Nigeria as a One-Party System. Rather what you refer to as One – party system is simply a reflection of emotional insinuation.
Much as I do not want to encourage the reign of one political party in Nigeria, the so called political parties in the opposition are disgusting and unscrupulous. It is such that the more they continue with their very petty and incredulous games, the better they rub the ego of the ruling party. And this of course, is nothing but sad!
How do you explain a presidential candidate who is still in euphoria of the 2023 presidential election?Sequel to emotional blackmail. Or what Professor Wole Soyinka called “Gbaju e.”
You still go about complaining and affirming you won the 2023, general elections. By the way, is that a serious opposition? Please I asked! Or is that what we expect at this critical period from our so called oppositions?
Again, can this send Tinubu/APC parking in 2027? Why are Nigerian politicians so repugnant for God sake? We mean someone who came distant 3rd position, in the purported election.
Also, tell me how we can have a viable opposition when greed has eaten so deep into the nerves of the so called opposition leaders? Imagine a politician who out of greed and personal aggradiscence, destroyed a political party and left for another one. Hence, continues with his incorrigible nature, “Greed.”
Nigeria is not a One Party System but a Multi Party State. The oppositions only need to be intentional and altruistic about their goals, if they are truly willing to stop the reign of the PBAT/APC
Fundamentally, when we talk of coalition to wrestle power from any perceived or purported tyrant, you must be willing to sacrifice. Thus, you put your interest aside but that of the country and its citizens first. If you ask me, that may be where Tinubu is different from Atiku.
Atiku, is so politically patrimonial and hedonistic, to such an extent that he is not willing to support any other politician except himself and him alone.
In fairness to PBAT, he did not insist it must be him in 2013/2014, when they founded APC. Rather he supported late president Buhari’s eight years. Even though, Buhari betrayed him eventually. That is progressive politics and that is politics of equity works anywhere in the world, including United States, which Nigeria models its democracy.
Quite honestly, the ruling party remains popular until, the so called oppositions are willing to sacrifice or do what is needful as leaders of the oppositions.
What gives PBAT/APC, edge over others or why it looks like Nigeria is sliding into one party system is still because the same political parties that are supposedly called oppositions, are equally guilty of the same allegations we all accuse the ruling party.
Nigeria is not a One Party System but a Multi Party State. The oppositions only need to be intentional and altruistic about their goals, if they are truly willing to stop the reign of the PBAT/APC.
Otherwise, it keeps looking like Nigeria, a country who has 27 political parties according to INEC, is being emotionally and not constitutionally referred to as One Party State.
God bless Nigeria!
•Adekunle Alaye, PhD.
•Opinions, positions or thoughts expressed here are personal and strictly of the writer/author and do not represent the views of The Daily Crucible.
