The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ebonyi State says Nigeria cannot afford to drift into a one-party system, insisting such a development would be dangerous for the country’s democracy.
The State Chairman of IPAC, Mr. Nasir Nwaze, stated this in an interview in Abakaliki on Wednesday. He described a one-party structure as “very unhealthy to any democratic system.”
His comment comes amid a wave of defections from opposition parties—particularly governors—into the All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the Federal Government.
Recent defectors include Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta.
The defections have intensified concerns that Nigeria may be tilting toward a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general election.
President Bola Tinubu, however, recently told a joint sitting of the National Assembly during the June 12 Democracy Day celebration that the APC was not steering the country toward single-party dominance.
But Nwaze cautioned that defections alone do not eliminate the structures of other political parties, noting that each one continues to operate independently. He cited Ebonyi as an example of a state where multi-party activities remain active.
He added that IPAC remained committed to resolving political issues and promoting peaceful coexistence among all registered parties recognised by INEC.
“The structure of governance in Ebonyi encourages collaboration among political parties rather than antagonistic opposition,” he said. “Every party in Ebonyi has the freedom to scout for members and present candidates. At the end of the day, the people will decide who they want.”