Aborisade Blasts One-Party Drift, Backs Olona as Oyo ADC Crisis Deepens.
A leading Gubernatorial Aspirant of African Democratic Congress in Oyo State, Barrister Chief Niyi Aborisade, has intensified concerns over what he described as a gradual drift toward a one-party state under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the nation’s democratic space is being steadily constricted.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, Aborisade maintained that the vital role of opposition in sustaining democracy is under increasing threat, as political developments across the country suggest a pattern capable of weakening alternative voices and concentrating power within a single dominant structure.
He noted that the emerging political climate reflects a worrying trend where dissenting platforms are either destabilised or overshadowed, a situation he said could undermine accountability and reduce the vibrancy of Nigeria’s democratic system if not urgently addressed.
Turning to the situation within the party in Oyo State, Aborisade reaffirmed his unwavering support for the leadership of Alhaji Yinka Olona, describing it as the only structure duly recognized by both the electoral authority and the national leadership of the party.
He stressed that legitimacy within the party must be guided by constitutional order and due process, rather than parallel arrangements.
The ADC stalwart strongly condemned the parallel congress held in Ibadan on Saturday, April 11, 2026, describing it as an act capable of deepening internal division and creating confusion among party members and the electorate.
He warned that such developments not only threaten party cohesion but also risk weakening the opposition’s collective strength at a critical political moment.
Aborisade further expressed concern that internal crises within opposition parties, including the ADC, may not be entirely disconnected from broader political dynamics in the country, insisting that any attempt direct or indirect to fragment opposition platforms ultimately serves to erode democratic balance.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy thrives on plurality, ideological competition, and the freedom of political association, adding that the suppression or manipulation of these elements could gradually steer the country toward a system where political dominance replaces healthy competition.
While reiterating the commitment of the ADC to remain a credible alternative platform, Aborisade called for discipline, unity, and respect for lawful leadership structures within the party, urging members to resist actions capable of undermining its integrity.
Observers note that the dual concerns raised both at the national level regarding democratic space and at the state level over party leadership highlight the interplay between internal party stability and the broader struggle to sustain a competitive political environment in Nigeria.
As the political landscape gradually shapes ahead of the 2027 general elections, the position articulated by Aborisade adds to the growing discourse on whether Nigeria’s democracy is evolving toward stronger pluralism or drifting into centralised political dominance under a weakened opposition framework.