Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has warned that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, raising concerns over the future of the country’s democracy.
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Makinde, in a newsletter titled ‘The business of governance’, said recent political developments indicate a shrinking democratic space, with opposition voices increasingly under pressure.
He pointed to developments within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as well as actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, as raising broader concerns about democratic governance.
Makinde said, “I hope you are well despite the challenges in our dear country. Developments within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with recent positions taken by INEC and the judiciary, are raising important questions. These are not just political issues; they concern anyone who believes in the future of democracy in our country.
“I am also aware that many of you are watching closely as we approach a transition period in Oyo State. And that you have questions about continuity, leadership, and the future direction of our State.
“We have engaged with a number of credible individuals as part of a deliberate transition process, and I will communicate a decision in due course, one that reflects both the progress we have made and the future we must secure.
“But beyond this, I believe there is a broader conversation we cannot afford to ignore – Nigeria devolving into a one-party state.
“This has led to some people beginning to withdraw quietly from conversations about our future because they feel their voices no longer matter.
“A healthy democracy depends on balance; on the presence of credible alternatives, strong institutions, and the confidence citizens have in the process.
“Today, voices that speak up against Nigeria devolving into a one-party state are being openly threatened. Opposition is being fragmented, constrained, or pushed to the margins.
“Whether one agrees with this concern or not, it is not something we should dismiss lightly. Because when opposition becomes ineffective, accountability weakens. And when the government cannot be held to account, the everyday challenges we face become harder to resolve.
“I do not believe Nigeria has reached a point of no return. But I do believe we are at a point where silence, indifference, or withdrawal could take us in a direction we may later struggle to reverse.
“Democracy is not built on agreement. It is built on plurality, on the presence of different voices, including those we may not agree with, because that is what keeps a system open, accountable, and responsive.
“This is not a call for panic. But it is also not a time for complacency. It is a call for awareness and a call for all of us, leaders and citizens alike, to remain engaged in protecting the democratic space that gives meaning to our collective future.
“In the coming days, I will be engaging with people across different sectors to listen and reflect on how we can strengthen our democratic space in a way that is inclusive, lawful, and sustainable.
“Nigeria has come too far for us to become indifferent.
Our democracy will not be protected by silence; it will be protected by those who stay engaged, ask questions, and insist that our institutions work for the people. Talk to you again soon.”
The governor warned that growing silence, indifference and withdrawal from civic engagement could further weaken democratic accountability if not urgently addressed.
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