Eminent constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has raised the alarm over what he describes as Nigeria’s gradual slide toward authoritarian rule, warning that the country is inching closer to a de facto one-party state—a dangerous trajectory that could entrench dictatorship if left unchallenged.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy” on Saturday, Ozekhome said Nigeria’s political environment is becoming increasingly toxic and ideologically bankrupt, characterized by “bootlicking at its highest level” and rampant political defections that undermine democratic principles.
“Nigeria is gradually drifting—without even realising it—into a one-party state. And a one-party state, as history has shown, is a breeding ground for dictatorship,” Ozekhome said.
Using a food metaphor to emphasize the ideological homogeneity among political actors, he quipped:
“It’s like beans, akara, and moi-moi—they’re all made from the same thing.”
According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the consistent cross-carpeting by politicians reveals a deep-seated lack of ideological commitment, where party allegiance is driven more by personal interest than policy or principle. This, he warns, creates a fertile ground for absolute power and unchecked governance.
Ozekhome cited the example of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during its 16-year rule, noting how the party once boasted that it would remain in power for 60 years—only to crumble under the weight of its own hubris.
He expressed concern that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to be replicating that pattern.
Tinubu, he noted, has strategically positioned loyalists across key institutions, creating the impression of political consolidation that could render future elections less competitive.
“If this continues, Tinubu may very well be running against himself in 2027,” Ozekhome said, alluding to the increasingly fragmented state of the opposition.
Beyond the political elite, Ozekhome also took aim at the growing public apathy, warning that citizens are becoming dangerously complacent in the face of mounting hardship and shrinking civic space.
“There’s a kind of Stockholm Syndrome at play here. Nigerians, battered and broken by the system, now embrace their tormentors rather than resist them,” he said.
“There’s widespread helplessness and hopelessness. But we must remember: the power is yours it is not theirs.”
He called on Nigerians to shake off political apathy and reclaim their democratic power by demanding accountability and transparency from elected officials.
As concerns mount over the future of Nigeria’s democratic experiment, Ozekhome’s remarks serve as a sobering call to action urging citizens, civil society, and opposition figures to defend the country’s fragile democratic institutions before it’s too late.
