Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Former Governors’ Forum, Babangida Aliyu, has raised alarm over what he described as Nigeria’s dangerous pull towards a one-party state under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at an interactive session between the People’s Democratic Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the Former Ministers’ Forum, Aliyu expressed deep concern about shrinking political space, induced defections, and the weakening of opposition institutions.
“We observe with alarm the aggressive maneuvers by the ruling APC to obliterate the opposition. The relentless poaching of opposition figures and the weaponisation of state institutions to intimidate dissenting voices are clear indicators that Nigeria is sliding dangerously into a one-party state,” he said.
Aliyu stressed that a vibrant opposition is essential for a thriving democracy and congratulated the newly elected PDP National Working Committee, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, expressing full confidence in their leadership.
“The PDP is not dead; it is evolving,” Aliyu stated, commending Turaki’s efforts to reposition the party with renewed purpose, discipline, and reconciliation.
Also speaking, the PDP National Chairman Turaki highlighted the party’s 16-year governance legacy, describing it as a benchmark for national development and a period of economic growth, debt clearance, and middle-class expansion.
Turaki cited key achievements including the liberalisation of the telecoms sector, banking consolidation, settlement of the Paris Club debt, and the establishment of agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC to fight corruption.
Also addressing the meeting, former Kano State Governor and former Minister Ibrahim Shekarau urged the new NWC to remain steadfast, declaring: “Don’t relent; you have done more than expected.”
The forum’s endorsement of the PDP’s new leadership points to a commitment to strengthening the party’s role in Nigeria’s democracy amid rising concerns about political centralization under the APC.
