••• Governor raises alarm over threats to opposition, fragmentation of democratic institutions
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has issued a stark warning that Nigeria risks devolving into a one-party state, saying that voices speaking out against the trend are being “openly threatened” while opposition forces are being “fragmented, constrained, or pushed to the margins.”
In his April 2026 governance newsletter, Governor Makinde raised concerns over recent developments within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as well as positions taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, describing them as issues that go beyond politics and strike at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic future.
“When opposition becomes ineffective, accountability weakens. And when the government cannot be held to account, the everyday challenges we face become harder to resolve,” the Governor warned.
Makinde acknowledged that citizens are beginning to disengage from public discourse, saying some have “quietly withdrawn from conversations about our future” because they feel their voices no longer matter. He called this trend deeply dangerous and urged leaders and citizens alike to remain engaged.
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On the matter of Oyo State’s political future, the Governor confirmed that a transition process is underway, stating that he has engaged with “a number of credible individuals” and will announce a decision “in due course” — one that he says will reflect both the progress made and the future that must be secured.
“I do not believe Nigeria has reached a point of no return,” Makinde wrote, “but I do believe we are at a point where silence, indifference, or withdrawal could take us in a direction we may later struggle to reverse.”
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The Governor vowed to engage stakeholders across multiple sectors in the coming days to chart a path toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic space in a manner that is “inclusive, lawful, and sustainable.”
“Our democracy will not be protected by silence,” he declared. “It will be protected by those who stay engaged, ask questions, and insist that our institutions work for the people.”
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Neither INEC nor the national leadership of the ruling party had issued an immediate response as of press time.
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Source: Office of the Executive Governor, Oyo State | www.oyostate.gov.ng
