2027: Opposition’s battle for space

Within a span of one week, opposition political parties in Nigeria have experienced various challenges in their bid to contest in the 2027 general elections.

From the bids for the presidency to governorship, national assembly and state assembly seats, opposition candidates have not been finding it easy to campaign as they wish as they are faced with various forms of harassment, suppression and intimidation.

Weekend Trust reports that 31 states in the country are under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while two of the remaining five opposition governors have been included in the presidential campaign council of the party.

Our correspondents recall that within the week, the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was attacked in Cross Rivers State, while the bid by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to hold a rally in Sokoto met with stiff opposition and in Edo and Plateau States, the billboards of major opposition candidates were pulled down.

On Thursday, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja also nullified all the processes of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that led to the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgement, nullified the emergence of the former Senate President, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others as national officers of the ADC.

The judge held that the nominations of candidates for the 2027 general elections were cancelled on account of emerging from an “illegal and unlawful leadership.”

In the same day, the presidential campaign convoy of the ADC was reportedly attacked in Kebbi State, as the candidate, Atiku, moved through Kebbi on campaign engagements on Thursday.

According to reports from the campaign team, thugs blocked the convoy and pelted vehicles with stones.

These developments, according to political observers, represent a systematic weakening of opposition parties and raise concerns over Nigeria’s democracy.

Due to the frequency in occurrence, opposition figures and civil society organisations have accused the ruling party, APC, of utilizing state-backed coercion, judicial manipulation, and targeted inducements to systematically dismantle counter-balancing political structures across the country.

Critics warn that by neutralising alternative political platforms ahead of upcoming electoral cycles, the APC-led administration is actively eroding the essential checks and balances required for democratic accountability.

Efforts to get the ruling party (APC) at the national level to respond to the allegations proved abortive as the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, did not respond to phone calls or WhatsApp messages sent to him.

However, in a press statement issued Friday, Morka dismissed allegations by the ADC, which accused the ruling party of colluding with the judiciary following the recent court ruling.

“Every time a court decides against the Senator David Mark-led factional African Democratic Congress, they accuse the All Progressives Congress of collusion and deprecate the judiciary,” Morka stated. “Every time a court decides in their favour, they hail the rule of law. That is the habitual folly of a vessel scuttled by its own leaders.”

The APC emphasized that it was neither a party nor an interlocutor in the lawsuit, saying the dispute was strictly an internal affair among ADC members resulting from disagreements over party governance and presidential ambition strategies.

Morka noted that if the ADC leadership finds the court’s verdict unsatisfactory, the appropriate course of action is to pursue an appeal through the judicial system.

Also, a chieftain of the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed the opposition claims, challenging the parties to produce evidence linking the APC to their problems.

“They have repeatedly refused to put their house in order, but whenever they face problems of their own making, they rush to the media to gain public sympathy. How is it APC business? You cannot expect a competitor in a race to help you do what you failed to do yourself. That will not happen”, the source said.

On the claims that the opposition parties were denied space for campaign materials, the chieftain said various state governments, including those governed by opposition parties, have increased outdoor advertising levies across board.

“You heard the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike explain this yesterday (Thursday). Believe me, that is what all the state governments are doing,” he added.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Presidency to the allegations were also not successful. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information, could not be reached on phone. Also messages sent to the presidential aide, including via WhatsApp, were yet to be replied to as at the time of filing this report.

The federal government, on its part urged political parties to conduct their activities in accordance with the law.

Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, stated the government’s position in response to allegations that opposition parties were being denied access to public facilities for political campaigns among other issues.

“The federal government’s position is that all political parties are expected to conduct their activities in accordance with the law, and the relevant authorities are equally expected to discharge their responsibilities fairly and without discrimination.

“What is important is that the rights of all political actors are respected, while applicable laws and established procedures are observed,” he said.

AAC moots boycott over harassment

The situation prompted the African Action Congress (AAC) to call on the opposition to consider a collective boycott of the 2027 polls if the federal government and security agencies fail to guarantee equal protection and safety for all participants.

A joint front of opposition groups—including the ADC, NDC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)—accused the ruling government of actively squeezing them out of the public square.

Beyond physical intimidation, opposition parties face what they call financial extortion by state and municipal authorities. Public advertising fees have skyrocketed, rendering traditional visibility virtually unattainable for parties outside executive control, Weekend Trust gathered.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), political parties attempting to erect campaign billboards are reportedly being asked to pay up to ₦750 million to the FCT Administration. Similar prohibitive charges on outdoor advertising, handbills, and publicity materials have been slammed on political opponents in states like Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi.

According to Mr Misbau Ajani, a public affairs analyst, opposition parties in states are increasingly finding themselves engaged in an uphill battle for basic survival.

He noted that while multiparty democracy relies on robust debate and competitive elections, local opposition platforms are systematically being squeezed by the “expansive power of incumbency”.

At the state level, he added, ruling party administrations often leverage state administrative apparatuses—ranging from urban control boards to revenue authorities—to stifle opposition visibility, strip away campaign infrastructure, and deny access to key public venues.

Scene from the attack on chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State on February 25th, 2026

Kaduna: Opposition alleges persecution

Opposition political parties in Kaduna State have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of persecuting their members and restricting their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The parties alleged that they were being denied access to public spaces for campaign activities, while some of their supporters had been arrested and their campaign materials removed.

They called on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene and ensure a level playing field for all political parties.

The North-West Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hafsat Baba, recently alleged that some social media users affiliated with opposition parties had been arrested, with some subsequently released.

She urged security agencies to protect all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations.

A Daily Trust correspondent observed that most campaign billboards and posters displayed across Kaduna metropolis belonged to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and other APC candidates, with few materials belonging to opposition parties visible.

The Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kaduna State, Comrade Shehu Muhammad, said his party had encountered difficulties in displaying campaign materials despite fulfilling the requirements of the relevant government agency.

He said banners mounted along Constitution Road were subsequently removed by officials of the agency.

“Honestly, in Kaduna, we are facing challenges, especially in placing our banners to promote our candidates and party.

“I visited the office of the agency responsible for granting permission and fulfilled the requirements, only for the banners to be removed a few days later by the same officials,” he said.

Muhammad also alleged that the police demanded a two-week notice before approving a political rally, despite the party notifying them 24 hours ahead of the event. He said the party had reported the matter to other relevant authorities, calling for protection during the event as provided to the ruling party in the state .The allegations come amid a separate dispute between the ADC and APC over an alleged attack on ADC supporters who gathered to welcome their governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru, from Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The ADC alleged that vehicles belonging to its supporters were vandalised and mobile phones stolen during the incident.

However, the APC denied attacking the opposition supporters during the incident.

Gombe laments ‘increasing hostility’

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Gombe State said opposition parties were facing increasing hostility from the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APM deputy governorship candidate, Wadaji Umar Lawan, alleged that some opposition members had been physically assaulted, while others suffered injuries, damage to personal belongings and destruction of their means of transportation.

Speaking on the challenges confronting opposition parties in the state, he said the alleged intimidation was not limited to the APM, but affected other opposition parties.

He further alleged that some party members at ward and local government levels were being threatened and pressured to defect to the APC, with those refusing allegedly facing threats of arrest and detention.

“We, as opposition parties in Gombe State, are facing challenges in carrying out our political activities. Some APC supporters allegedly destroy our campaign materials and party offices, while our members are attacked, injured and have their properties and means of transportation damaged,” he said.

However, Lawan disclosed that the APM had yet to submit any formal complaint to security agencies, explaining that the party was still monitoring and assessing the alleged incidents across the state.

He said opposition parties were considering a joint petition to the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to seek protection for their members.

The APM candidate also accused the state-owned radio station of denying opposition parties access to its programmes and platforms to publicise their political activities, including rallies and other campaign events.

He said private radio stations remained the only available platforms for opposition parties to promote their activities, alleging that the government-owned stations were unwilling to grant them airtime.

Lawan warned that the alleged hostility could undermine peaceful political participation and create security challenges in a state known for its relative peace.

However, the APC Publicity Secretary in Gombe State, Murtala Wurotale, had earlier dismissed allegations of involvement in political thuggery, insisting that the party was committed to peaceful political activities.

**We can’t place our billboards in Kano – ADC, NDC **

Opposition political parties in Kano State accused the APC-led government of frustrating their campaign activities through restrictions on billboard advertising, denial of rally venues and intimidation of property owners.

A chieftain of the ADC in the state, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, alleged that authorities have continued to prevent opposition parties from securing billboard spaces in Kano and other parts of Northern Nigeria, including Abuja.

“At the moment, the challenge remains the refusal of the state government to allow us to rent billboards at strategic locations,” he said.

Yakasai claimed that advertising agencies operating billboards in the state had informed him that restrictions imposed by the government had not been lifted, making it difficult for the party to display campaign materials.

He also cited the development in Sokoto State, where the ADC was allegedly denied a venue for the flag-off rally and had to hold the event at its party office instead.

“We are anticipating that the state government will equally do that. But that will not deter us because, just like we did in Sokoto, we will still occupy the streets and carry out our activities,” he said.

According to him, such actions were undemocratic and amounted to attempts to suppress opposition voices ahead of elections.

He, however, expressed confidence that the measures would not affect the party’s political fortunes.

Similarly, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and a chieftain of the NDC, Dr Habibu Saleh Mohammed, accused the Kano State Government of using state institutions and regulatory agencies to deny opposition parties access to billboards and campaign facilities.

Mohammed alleged that efforts by opposition candidates to engage outdoor advertising firms had repeatedly been unsuccessful because operators claimed they had been directed not to allow their facilities to be used for opposition campaigns.

He further alleged that the opposition had on three occasions failed to secure accommodation for its campaign council because property owners were allegedly pressured against leasing their facilities.

But responding, the Director General of the Kano State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KSASA), Kabiru Saidu Dakata, denied claims that opposition parties were being denied access to billboard spaces.

Dakata challenged any opposition political party to provide evidence that it had formally applied to the agency for billboard space and was turned down.

Peter Obi alongside his supporters after they were prevented by thugs during their visit to Benue in September 8, 2026

Situation the same in Benue

In Benue State, opposition political parties accused the ruling APC of using its control of government to intimidate rivals, disrupt political meetings and restrict their access to public facilities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC and NDC alleged that attempts to frustrate their political activities through denial of venues, destruction of campaign materials and disruption of gatherings were creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among opposition supporters.

State Publicity Secretary of ADC, Michael Inyaregh, told our correspondent in Makurdi, that the ruling party had systematically squeezed opposition parties out of the political space, making it increasingly difficult for them to organise and mobilise supporters.

He cited incidents in Buruku Local Government Area, where the party allegedly faced repeated denial of access to public facilities before its governorship candidate’s consultation meeting.

According to him, ADC was initially denied the use of Buruku Youth Centre by the local government chairman, who reportedly cited plans to renovate the facility.

He said the party subsequently approached Tombo Community Secondary School, a venue previously used for political activities by different parties, but was again denied access on the grounds that the meeting could generate tension.

Inyaregh alleged that after the party resorted to a private facility belonging to Senator Orker Jev, suspected political thugs invaded the venue and destroyed seating arrangements prepared for the meeting.

He added that similar incidents in Gwer East and Buruku, where chairs and canopies were allegedly scattered during ADC meetings, had discouraged some members from participating in subsequent activities.

However, the NDC said the alleged intimidation had not weakened its determination to participate in the 2027 elections.

The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem Odedo, acknowledged attempts to disrupt opposition gatherings, destroy billboards and posters, and prevent opposition members from attending public and community programmes.

He, however, said the incidents had created apprehension among residents rather than cripple the operations of opposition parties.

He maintained that no government had successfully suppressed opposition political activities, expressing confidence that the NDC governorship candidate, Professor Terhemba Shija, would emerge victorious in 2027.

Odedo also said the party remained optimistic about Peter Obi’s chances in the presidential election, insisting that opposition parties would continue their political activities despite the alleged pressure.

‘It’s tough for us in Ondo’

The ADC and NDC in Ondo State also alleged that they were experiencing challenges.

The parties said the alleged actions, ranging from harassment of their members and candidates to difficulties securing public venues for political activities, were affecting their operations and grassroots mobilisation.

Speaking with Weekend Trust, the Ondo State Secretary of the ADC, Kunle Adeloye, said the party was concerned about what he described as growing intimidation of its members and candidates by the ruling party.

Adeloye cited the refusal of the state government to allocate NEPA Park for the reception organised for former Ondo State governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, when the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, visited the state.

According to him, the party was forced to secure an alternative venue for the ceremony.

Similarly, the Ondo State Chairman of the NDC, Kennedy Peretei, alleged that the ruling party was deploying tactics capable of frustrating opposition campaigns.

Peretei said members of the ruling party sometimes deliberately organised campaign activities around locations where the NDC was already campaigning.

Ebonyi laments too

Opposition political parties and civil society organizations in Ebonyi State have condemned alleged threats, intimidation, and harassment of opposition figures, critics, and the media, demanding equal protection for all parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The parties rejected what they described as the “politics of fear,” insisting that the election should be decided on candidates’ records, competence, integrity, and policy proposals rather than incumbency or the deployment of state machinery.

Their position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Ebonyi State Peoples’ Political and Economic Summit, held at Daffodil Resort in Abakaliki under the theme “Ebonyi on the Pathway to Good Governance and Economic Growth.”

The summit brought together political parties and key stakeholders, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), NDC, Labour Party (LP), and National Democratic Party (NDP), alongside civil society organizations, community leaders, scholars, professionals, farmers, artisanal miners, youth and women’s groups, traders, and members of the diaspora.

In the communiqué signed by the chairman of the drafting committee, Mr. Moses Idika, the participants described Ebonyi State as being at a crossroads, citing concerns over poverty, governance, deteriorating infrastructure, and threats to the state’s unity.

A cross section of voters

‘We’re suffocating in Akwa Ibom’

The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Michael Bush, decried the dismantling of opposition parties in the state by the ruling APC, saying the opposition parties are suffocating.

Speaking in Uyo, Bush alleged that Governor Umo Eno subtly dismantled the opposition when he declared a “United Akwa Ibom State” with the promise of accommodating opposition parties.

Questioning the governor’s sincerity regarding his unifying stance, the LP candidate challenged Governor Eno to account for what happened to the PDP structure in the state prior to his political alignment with the APC.

“He promised a united Akwa Ibom, but Akwa Ibom is currently divided. True democratic freedom means allowing other political parties to thrive, and he will be held accountable for this. In the future, we will ask him what happened to the PDP. At the governorship debate, I will ask him directly: ‘Where is the PDP mandate we gave to you?’” Bush declared.

Also commenting on the development, political analyst Nsikak Ekanem said opposition structures had been crippled, pushing Nigeria closer to a one-party state.

The consensus now is that the opposition is being suffocated by the government in power, which is a clear indication that governance has hit an all-time low. Politics has infiltrated and poisoned the administrative process,” Ekanem noted.

Ruling APM muzzling opposition in Bauchi – APC, PRP, others allege

Opposition political parties in Bauchi State have united in accusing the ruling Allied People’s Movement (APM) administration of using state regulatory bodies to suppress opposition visibility and tilt the political playing field ahead of upcoming elections.

The opposition parties, including APC, PRP, and the PDP, allege that state enforcement agencies—specifically the Bauchi State Physical Planning and Development Control Board—are selectively targeting and destroying their campaign billboards while allowing ruling party displays to remain untouched.

Weekend Trust gathered that the controversy follows a directive issued last June by state agencies, including the Bauchi State Infrastructure Development and Maintenance Agency (BASIDMA), the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), and the Board of Internal Revenue.

The government ordered the immediate removal of all campaign materials mounted on public infrastructure, such as streetlights, utility poles, and flyovers, citing urban renewal and environmental aesthetics.

At the time, BASIDMA General Manager Muhammad Ibrahim issued a one-week ultimatum before enforcement began.

However, opposition leaders claim the order is being enforced in a biased and one-sided manner.

According to opposition figures, public structures across the state—particularly in Bauchi metropolis—have been painted with APM colours, logos, and political insignia despite the explicit ban on using public infrastructure for political branding.

Historical sites such as Kofar Gombe, Kofar Ran, and Kofar Nassarawa city gates have allegedly been decorated with APM campaign materials too.

In response, the PRP has filed a lawsuit against the Bauchi State Government.

“They have continued to display their logos, colours, and insignia across numerous public infrastructures throughout the state,” said Abdurrahman Yusuf Muazu, PRP State Chairman. “This blatant favouritism and inconsistent enforcement undermine the principles of fairness, equity, and the rule of law. Sections 92 to 95 of the Electoral Act strictly prohibit such conduct, yet the APM’s displays remain untouched.”

Muazu added that the party has petitioned police authorities over the harassment of its members near Kofar Gombe gate, urging law enforcement agents to bring the perpetrators to justice and guarantee a level playing field.

The APC voiced similar frustrations, citing instances of targeted removal and intimidation.

“Our campaign billboards were removed in Alkaleri town despite the presence of APM billboards at the exact same location,” said Shehu Dauda Udubo, APC State Public Relations Officer, noting that the incident was formally reported to the police.

Udubo also accused government sympathizers of harassing APC supporters: “Cronies of the government were allegedly responsible for booing our campaign vehicles in the streets with chants of ‘Bamayi’ (We don’t want you), particularly in Bauchi metropolis. Politics should be a fair competition for the people to choose, not a campaign of intimidation.”

Joining the outcry, the Bauchi State Secretary of the PDP, Engr. Nazif Sabo Likita, accused the state government of using urban development agencies to starve opposition parties of publicity space.

The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed receipt of multiple petitions regarding the destruction and removal of political materials.

Spokesperson SP Nafiu Habib stated that the command has launched an investigation into the complaints and is taking proactive steps to maintain order.

On his part, the General Manager of BASIDMA, Muhammad Ibrahim, denied all the allegations, saying the agency has been fair and provides a level playing field to all political parties in Bauchi State.

Ibrahim said the agency only removed billboards placed on strategic locations that posed security risks or had potential to cause traffic risk to the public, adding, “We first notify the owners of the billboards by calling them on phone before we remove them. We have not destroyed a single billboard throughout the exercise, but it is political thugs from opposing parties that are destroying their billboards for reasons best known to them.”

APC shrinking democratic space – Opposition coalition

Meanwhile, the Coalition for Democracy has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space through alleged attacks on opposition supporters, intimidation of political actors and discriminatory restrictions on opposition campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The coalition, formerly known as the G100 Coalition, said the alleged actions were creating an uneven political environment that favoured the ruling party and threatened Nigerians’ right to freely choose their leaders.

It raised the concerns in a statement on Thursday signed by Salihu Mohammed Lukman, following a meeting of its Central Leadership Committee in Abuja on Wednesday.

The coalition alleged that opposition supporters had been attacked in Kaduna, Ibadan, Sokoto and Cross River in the last 90 days, while hotels booked for opposition delegates had cancelled reservations and campaign offices had been sealed.

It also alleged that opposition billboards had been pulled down in Edo State while those belonging to the APC remained untouched.

The coalition also raised concerns over the integrity of the voters’ register, citing the alleged insertion of AI-generated photographs by INEC registration officers and the removal of more than 1.27 million records.

It demanded an independent forensic audit of the register before December 15 and called on the INEC to provide political parties with electronic copies for scrutiny.

The group also urged the Inspector-General of Police to guarantee equal protection for political activities and publish investigation outcomes into attacks on opposition supporters in Oyo, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

Vice presidential candidate of the ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, inspecting damages after suspected political thugs set the party office on fire in Ubima Community, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State on February 6, 2026

Opposition adopts survival strategies

Despite the shrinking operational footprint and mounting financial barriers, opposition leaders insist they will not be silenced.

To bypass restrictions on venues and public spaces, political parties are shifting away from traditional mega-rallies. Instead, they are pivoting to direct community engagement through town hall meetings, street processions, and aggressive social media live streaming to connect directly with voters.

The NDC presidential contender, Peter Obi, has explored digital platforms to engage Nigerians, featuring in live sessions on TikTok programmes, alongside visits to markets and engagements on X (formerly Twitter).

Obi has maintained that political leaders must engage directly with the electorate and present practical plans to address insecurity, economic instability, and the rising cost of living.

The African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo State called on opposition political parties and democratic forces across the country to consider a collective boycott of the 2027 general elections to press home their demand for equal access to voters.

In a statement signed by its Oyo State Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, the party said unless the federal government and security agencies guarantee the safety of candidates, party members, and supporters, the boycott option should become inevitable.

‘Suppression of opposition could trigger instability’

A political scientist at Bayero University Kano, Prof. Kamilu Sani Fage, has warned that denying opposition parties a level playing field poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability and could fuel political violence.

Fage, who spoke on the allegations by opposition parties that they are being prevented from carrying out campaign activities, described such actions as undemocratic and detrimental to democratic consolidation.

“Denying the opposition a level playing field is undemocratic. It is also a threat to the stability and continuity of our democratic system because it can generate violence, and once violence sets in, the stability of the system is threatened,” he said.

The professor said Nigeria’s political leaders appeared not to have learnt from the country’s democratic history, noting that similar tactics in the past contributed to political crises and the collapse of democratic experiments.

Fagge attributed the situation to what he described as the failure of political actors to fully embrace democratic values.

“The fact is that our politicians are not democratic in the real sense. They are more committed to democracy verbally than in practice because they know that in a democracy, the electorate are the final arbiters and the ones who decide who leads them,” he said.

According to him, intolerance towards opposition parties is often driven by the desperation of political leaders to win elections.

Also, Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, spoke on the implications of these developments on Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country risks shifting the contest for political power from the ballot box to the courtroom.

A Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Ilorin, Hassan Saliu, warned that denying opposition parties access to public spaces and disrupting their campaign activities could amount to pre-election rigging and undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

He said political intimidation, harassment, violence and restrictions on campaign activities could discourage voters from participating in the electoral process, while exposing Nigeria’s democracy to international criticism.

The political scientist, who is also president of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs (NSIA), called on all political parties, including the ruling party, to respect the law.

He maintained that political parties had a legal right to canvass for support and present their manifestoes, stressing that democratic governance could not thrive without competing ideas and the freedom to express them.

According to him, denying opposition parties access to venues, deploying thugs or security personnel to disrupt their programmes and preventing them from using public facilities were practices inconsistent with democratic principles.

He said allowing parties to engage the electorate and explain their programmes would instead enable voters to assess competing candidates and make informed choices.

Another political analyst, Dr Terver Akase, warned that intimidation of opposition parties posed a serious threat to democratic governance, arguing that restricting political competition could gradually entrench a one-party mentality.

He said the opposition remained essential to democracy because it provided alternative ideas, scrutinised government policies and held those in power accountable.

“Democracy without a viable opposition is democracy in name but not in substance. When opposition parties are intimidated into silence, denied a level playing field or prevented from effectively organising, the people ultimately become the victims because their choices are restricted,” Akase said.

He warned that political office holders must recognise that government was temporary and that today’s ruling party could become tomorrow’s opposition.

By Hussein Yahaya, Baba Martins, Jide Olusola (Abuja), Rabilu Abubakar (Gombe), Sani Ibrahim Paki, Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano), Hope Abah (Makurdi), Promise Adagba (Akure), Hassan Ibrahim (Bauchi), Iniabasi Umo (Uyo) & Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin)