Rights Lawyer Laments “One-Man-show” Politics, Says Opposition Collapsing In Nigeria
ABUJA — Human-rights lawyer Maduabuchi O. Idam has raised alarm after painting a stark picture of Nigeria’s political landscape, arguing that “no opposition party has any meaningful presence” and that the ruling party now dominates the political space “as both the alpha and the omega.”
In an update on his official Facebook handle, Idam said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is “neither recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)” nor does the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) enjoy Nigerians’ trust—leaving “only the ruling party… free from encumbrances.” He added that he “chooses to believe” the ruling party has a hand in recent political developments.
Idam raised the alarm and sounded a warning that it would be a “smart idea” to “finance, enable, or use Nyesom Wike as a mole” who, in his view, has “successfully crippled” the PDP, once the country’s major opposition. He also cautioned against any move to “influence” INEC into “mischievously interpreting ‘status quo ante bellum’” to justify “delisting” the ADC from the official register of parties.
The lawyer further argued that FCT Minister Wike’s clout now stretches “beyond party lines,” making the former Rivers Governor a potential challenger to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “when their interests clash.”
As Nigerians await that moment, Idam said, democracy risks being reduced to a “one-man-show system of politics.” The lawyer’s view resonated with the position of the Channels TV’s Seun who has been blasted by Minister Wike over his one party state comment.
Nigeria is currently facing a dramatic and chaotic political atmosphere following the rift between INEC and ADC, the strongest opposition warming up to beat APC in the 2027 landmark election. The ruling party has been accused of an attempt to cripple the ADC using ultra vires power of incumbency out of fear and panic that it would be defeated by the opposition if free and fair election is conducted.