Political economist, Pat Utomi, on Thursday warned that Nigeria’s democracy could be under serious threat if the current political trajectory is not checked, alleging that President Bola Tinubu is steering the country toward what he described as a “one-man presidency.”
Utomi made the remarks during a press conference held in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he spoke alongside members of the Movement for Credible Elections, a coalition of political actors and civil society figures. The group expressed concern over what it described as growing collaboration between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the partnership is aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general elections.
Speaking firmly, Utomi said the country must avoid drifting into a political environment where opposition voices are systematically suppressed, warning that such a development could undermine democratic competition and public confidence in the electoral process.
According to him, democracy thrives on competition, transparency, and the freedom for opposition parties to operate without intimidation or institutional barriers. He argued that any attempt—whether deliberate or indirect—to weaken opposition parties would amount to a dangerous step toward authoritarianism.
Utomi noted that Nigeria had fought hard to return to democratic rule and must not allow political developments to reverse the gains made over the years. He stressed that strong institutions, particularly the electoral body, must remain neutral and independent in order to protect the integrity of elections.
The Movement for Credible Elections echoed Utomi’s concerns, warning that signs of democratic backsliding were beginning to emerge. Members of the coalition alleged that opposition candidates in several parts of the country were already facing administrative obstacles, political pressure, and what they described as selective enforcement of electoral regulations.
The coalition stated that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend heavily on the independence of INEC, the fairness of the political playing field, and the willingness of the government to allow democratic institutions to function without interference.
Speakers at the press conference repeatedly stressed that the issue was not about political parties but about the survival of democracy itself. They called on civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to closely monitor political developments in Nigeria as the 2027 elections approach.
Utomi warned that when democratic competition is weakened, citizens lose faith in the system, which can lead to voter apathy, political unrest, and instability. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to defend democratic institutions through peaceful and lawful means.
He also called on INEC to reassure Nigerians of its neutrality by ensuring transparency in voter registration, party recognition, candidate nomination processes, and election administration. According to him, public trust in the electoral system is one of the most important pillars of democracy, and once that trust is broken, it becomes difficult to restore.
The coalition concluded the press conference by calling for electoral reforms, stronger institutional independence, and equal political opportunities for all parties, insisting that Nigeria must not move toward a system where one political party or one individual dominates the entire political space.
As political activities gradually begin to build toward the 2027 general elections, the concerns raised at the press conference are likely to intensify public debate about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, the independence of its institutions, and the future of political competition in the country.
