Defections: Opposition must survive for democracy to thrive — NNPP

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has warned that attempts to steer Nigeria toward a one-party state will ultimately collapse, insisting that political dominance built on forced alliances and mass defections is unsustainable.

The party’s National Chairman, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, gave the warning on Friday in Abuja while addressing the 10th meeting of the NNPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), where he cautioned against what he described as blind efforts to weaken opposition parties.

Quoting the late nationalist and statesman, K.O. Mbadiwe, Ahmed said political organisations succeed only with “a combination of the combinables,” stressing that any arrangement lacking compatibility would inevitably implode.

“As for those struggling blind-folded to drive us into a one-party State, they must know that the inevitable result of such efforts will directly contradict K.O. Mbadiwe’s first principle that political parties succeed only when you have ‘a combination of the combinables’ in them. A combination of the uncombinables will have only a predictable destination, sooner than later, i.e. self-implosion,” he said.

The NNPP chairman maintained that his party had remained united because it resisted external control and internal factionalisation, unlike some political parties that had been weakened by leadership disputes and imposition.

He dismissed recent defections from the party, describing defectors as renegades who voluntarily abandoned stability for uncertainty.

“If some choose to jump from calm waters into a burning fire, we wish them safe journey,” he added.

Ahmed’s statement come amid concerns over the possibility of Nigeria sliding toward a one-party system, following waves of defections by opposition politicians to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), at both federal and state levels.

In recent months, several lawmakers, governors, and party leaders have switched allegiance, prompting concerns among civil society groups, opposition parties and political analysts about shrinking political competition and democratic pluralism.

Ahmed insisted that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the survival of strong opposition parties, stressing that NNPP would continue to offer a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He expressed confidence that the party’s growing membership and internal unity would strengthen its national outlook, despite political pressures and realignments.

The NEC meeting was attended by party leaders, elected officials, including Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s national leader and deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and Buba Galadima.

Kwankwaso said his party remains unfazed by the wave of defections to the ruling party, expressing confidence that as the general elections draw nearer, politicians will find it more expedient to align with the NNPP because of its stability.

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