As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary, political observers and civil society leaders have raised concerns over what they describe as the shrinking democratic space, warning that the country’s democracy is “gasping for breath.”
Analysts argue that the systematic silencing of opposition voices, harassment of dissenting politicians, and clampdown on civic freedoms are eroding the foundations of participatory governance that Nigerians fought hard to secure.
At a symposium in Abuja to review Nigeria’s democratic journey since independence, speakers stressed that credible opposition is the heartbeat of democracy, yet the political climate has become increasingly hostile to alternative views.
Democracy thrives on debate, tolerance and accountability. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing is a gradual weakening of opposition forces, either through intimidation, legal hurdles, or outright exclusion from the political process,” said Dr. Chinyere Obi, a political science lecturer at the University of Lagos.
Participants noted that the concentration of power in the ruling party, coupled with weak institutions, has made it difficult for checks and balances to function effectively. They warned that if the trend continues, Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party system under a democratic façade.
Human rights groups also criticized recent incidents where opposition rallies were disrupted, while ruling party events were given full security backing.
They called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to commit to protecting free speech, political plurality, and electoral reforms that will guarantee a level playing field for all political actors.
At 65, Nigeria should be consolidating democracy, not shrinking it. The silencing of opposition is a dangerous precedent that undermines the very essence of independence,” said a representative of the Centre for Democratic Studies.
While government officials maintain that Nigeria’s democracy remains robust, critics insist that the nation’s progress will only be meaningful if opposition voices are allowed to thrive without fear or persecution.
