Constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome has expressed deep concern over the recent wave of political defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that Nigeria is “gradually driving towards a one-party state” and, ultimately, dictatorship.
His comments came during a fresh interview with Channels TV, where he reacted specifically to the defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Ozekhome sharply criticized the mass defections, describing them as “bootlicking at its highest level.” He lamented how politicians appear to be abandoning principles and loyalty for personal gain, calling the phenomenon “cross carpeting” that throws morals and decency aside. “People are falling over themselves to endorse the president, who has not even been allowed to do his job effectively over two years,” he noted.
Drawing a striking analogy, Ozekhome said the defectors are like “Akara and Moi Moi,” two popular Nigerian foods, implying that despite claims of difference, they are essentially the same—politicians switching parties with little regard for ideology or the electorate. He warned that such indiscriminate party-hopping is dangerously eroding Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
“We are gradually driving, without fully realizing it, towards a one-party state,” Ozekhome explained. “This is a perilous path because one-party systems inevitably lead to dictatorship, where unchecked power reigns supreme.”
His statement highlights a growing unease among critics who fear that the political landscape is becoming less competitive and more centralized, threatening the democratic ideals Nigeria was founded upon.
The increasing dominance of the APC, coupled with defections from opposition parties, raises concerns about the potential erosion of political pluralism and checks on power.
Ozekhome’s warning serves as a call to both politicians and citizens to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy by promoting genuine political competition and discouraging opportunistic defections.
He emphasized the importance of preserving moral integrity and accountability within the country’s political system to prevent the slide towards authoritarianism.
The constitutional expert urges vigilance and active engagement to ensure Nigeria does not lose its democratic character amidst the shifting political tides.