Fears grow that Tinubu might be the only presidential candidate in next year's elections

FEARS are now growing that there will only be one candidate in Nigeria's 2027 presidential elections following the currently crisis in the opposition party the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that has paralysed its activities.

In the run-up to next year's polls, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully curtailed the opposition, wooing most of its governors. At the moment, 32 of Nigeria's 36 governors are APC members as the ruling party has successfully lured members of opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party, getting them to jump ship.

In August last year, however, several opposition leaders got together to launch the ADC in what was seen as an attempt to build a united front against the APC. Among its most senior members were former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, ex-vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Just this week, former Kano State governor, one-time defence minister and 2019 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso formally joined the ADC. However, in a swift reaction, the ADC was immediately thrown into turmoil after the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) said it no longer recognises its leadership and removed the names of the party's chairman and secretary from its portal.

According to Inec, Rafiu Bala was the ADC chairman and he had contacted the commission to say he had no resigned, so former senate leader Senator David Mark could not be the party chairman. Inec subsequently removed the names of Senator Mark and that of Mr Aregbesola from its portal as the ADC respective chairman and secretary pending the outcome of a court case between both factions of the party.

If the matter is not resolved before the deadline for the submission of party candidates, the ADC might not be able to field a presidential nominee. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, have warned that Nigeria could end up having only one presidential candidate in the 2027 election if the judiciary continues to interfere in political party affairs.

Speaking at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture in Lagos attended by other activists including Nigeria Labour Congress president Joe Ajaero, Omoyele Sowore, Olumide Fusika, Lanre Arogundade, Agba Jalingo and Richard Akinola, they criticised the judiciary for interfering in the internal affairs of political parties despite provisions of the Electoral Act prohibiting such interference. Mr Falana asserted that court orders and conflicting judgments were being used to destabilise political parties and could lead to a situation where only one political party would present a presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

Inec had based its decision on a Court of Appeal judgment, which directed the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of Senator Mark’s leadership of the ADC. Mr Falana warned that actions capable of undermining democracy could provoke unrest if Nigerians felt they no longer had a genuine electoral choice.

He said: “Through the manipulation of Nigerian courts and senior lawyers, you may have only one candidate contesting the presidential election in this country. If that happens, Nigeria may not even need to spend money on a presidential election.”

Mr Falana urged civil society groups, labour unions and political activists to organise and defend democratic values, warning that unorganised protests could lead to anarchy rather than meaningful change. Otunba Adams added that Nigeria was gradually drifting towards a one-party system, accusing those in power of using the judiciary to suppress opposition parties and the will of the people.

“We are moving towards a one-party system. Those in power are using the judiciary to suppress the will of the people. We may end up having only one presidential candidate in Nigeria if care is not taken,” Otunba Adams said.

He urged Nigerians not to remain silent because their ethnic group was in power, noting that political power rotates and silence in the face of injustice could later be used against those who failed to speak up. According to him, Nigerians must continue to speak against injustice and defend democracy regardless of ethnic or political affiliations.

Comrade Ajaero argued that Nigeria has been hijacked by a few persons benefitting from the present centralised structure. He spoke in favour of restructuring and the devolution of powers,  localising resources to decouple the present centralised structure and state police.

Mr Sowore added that the President Tinubu's administration was driving Nigerians to push for a revolution. He added: “Tinubu is on a highway driving you to a revolution and you still have not got the message but he will make it happen because this country cannot escape a revolution."

However, the Federal Capital Territory minister Nyesom Wike, has declared that the PDP, would present a presidential candidate in 2027. He said contrary to pundits who have written off the PDP, the party would make an impact in the 2027 elections.

Likewise, the Labour Party has announced April 28 as the date for its presidential primary, while state congresses are slated for April 25. There is still a possibility, however, that even if these parties nominate p[residential candidates, they may be coerced into standing down for President Tinubu.