Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), a distinguished Nigerian constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, has sounded a significant alarm regarding the current political trajectory in Nigeria. During an interview on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy” programme on a Saturday, Ozekhome warned that the nation is “gradually driving without knowing it towards a one-party state,” a path he believes could culminate in a full-blown dictatorship if not actively challenged by the citizenry.

Ozekhome expressed profound concern over what he termed the "dangerous erosion of political ideologies" and "bootlicking at its highest level" within the Nigerian political landscape. He highlighted the increasing trend of political decampments and cross-carpeting by elected officials, arguing that such actions demonstrate a stark lack of ideological grounding. Politicians, he lamented, appear to prioritize personal gain over party principles, making them easily interchangeable. “It’s like beans, akara, and moi-moi; they’re the same,” Ozekhome stated, criticising the lack of scruples among those who switch party affiliations, with recent examples including the defection of Akwa Ibom's governor to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria elaborated on the severe implications of a one-party system, asserting that it inevitably leads to unchecked power and authoritarianism. “In a one-party state, dictatorship reigns supreme,” he cautioned. Ozekhome painted a grim picture where democratic institutions such as the National Assembly and the judiciary would be “pocketed,” effectively silenced, and coerced into universal agreement. This, he warned, would extinguish dissent, eliminate checks and balances, and render democratic accountability obsolete.

Drawing historical parallels, Ozekhome referenced the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year tenure, during which they famously boasted of governing for 60 years, only for the party to eventually implode. He suggested that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strategically positioned his allies in critical sectors of governance. If the opposition remains fragmented and fails to present a viable alternative, Ozekhome posited that this could create a scenario where Tinubu “virtually runs against himself” in the 2027 presidential elections.

It is noteworthy that President Bola Tinubu has addressed the allegations of his administration fostering a one-party system. Speaking at an APC national summit where he was reportedly adopted as the party's sole presidential candidate for 2027 by party leaders, Tinubu countered these claims. He taunted his accusers and suggested that politicians defecting to the APC were merely abandoning a "shrinking ship," implying the weakening of opposition parties.

Ozekhome did not limit his critique to the political class; he also expressed dismay at the public's apparent docility in the face of mounting hardships. He likened this societal response to a “Stockholm Syndrome,” a psychological condition where the oppressed develop a sense of trust or affection for their aggressors. “The average Nigerian is so helpless and hopeless, pushed to the wall. Yet, instead of challenging their aggressors, they retreat inwardly,” he observed, pointing to a state of pervasive helplessness.

Despite his somber assessment, Professor Ozekhome issued a powerful call to action, urging Nigerians to awaken from their political complacency and reclaim their sovereign power. He implored citizens to break free from the "Stockholm Syndrome," to be resilient, and to actively demand accountability from their leaders. “The power is yours; it is not theirs,” he emphatically reminded the populace, stressing the fundamental principle that government derives its authority from the people.

Professor Mike Ozekhome's stark warnings about the drift towards a one-party state and potential dictatorship serve as a critical commentary on Nigeria's current political environment. His analysis, highlighting the erosion of political ideologies, the consequences of unchecked power, and the need for citizen engagement, presents a profound challenge to both the political establishment and the Nigerian public, particularly as the nation looks towards the future and the 2027 general elections.