ABUJA, Nigeria — A leading opposition figure in Sokoto State, Ambassador Faruk Malami Yabo, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to weaken opposition parties and push the country toward one-party dominance.
Yabo, a former diplomat and senatorial aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election, made the remarks while addressing journalists and supporters after receiving endorsements from stakeholders in his senatorial district. He said the growing influence of the APC, combined with defections from opposition parties, posed a serious danger to political competition and democratic accountability.
According to him, the opposition must remain united and organised if Nigeria is to avoid what he described as creeping one-party rule. He argued that democracy cannot function properly where one party controls the political space and opposition voices are weakened through pressure, inducement or internal sabotage.
Yabo said many Nigerians were frustrated with the state of governance, particularly in security, agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure. He said voters were looking for credible leadership that could restore confidence and provide a clearer political direction, especially in Sokoto State.
He also commended former Sokoto State governor and senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, for stepping down from the senatorial race in his favour. Yabo described Tambuwal’s decision as an act of statesmanship that strengthened opposition unity and showed that personal ambition should sometimes give way to collective interest.
The warning comes amid wider national debate over Nigeria’s political balance. In recent months, several governors and federal lawmakers have defected from opposition parties to the APC, fuelling concerns that the ruling party is consolidating power ahead of the 2027 elections. President Bola Tinubu has denied any plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, saying he remains committed to the country’s multiparty system.
Opposition leaders have also moved to form alliances aimed at challenging the APC in 2027. The Associated Press reported that key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have backed a coalition under the African Democratic Congress, with its leaders saying the alliance is intended to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.
Yabo urged Nigerians to defend democratic pluralism by supporting credible candidates and resisting political intimidation. He said the 2027 elections would be critical not only for Sokoto State but also for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
