A political party of particular concern

Nigeria’s democratic journey reached a historic milestone in 2015 when a national political party was declared winner of a presidential election, displacing the incumbent government at the federal level.

For the first time since the return to civil rule in 1999, an opposition party successfully unseated the ruling party. This unprecedented transition was widely celebrated both locally and internationally as evidence of democratic maturity and consolidation. At the time, expectations were understandably high.

Many Nigerians believed that the election signalled not merely a change of government, but a decisive break from entrenched political practices that had long undermined good governance, accountability, and national development.

The new ruling party was thus embraced as a symbol of hope, a vehicle for reform, discipline, and national renewal. Several years into its stewardship, however, that optimism has gradually given way to deepening public scrutiny and widespread concern. One of the most troubling aspects of the party’s governance since assuming power in 2015 has been its selective posture toward accountability and anti-corruption.

Shortly after taking office, the government embarked on an aggressive campaign of investigations, prosecutions, and public indictments targeting members of the previous administration. Accountability is undoubtedly indispensable in any democracy, and once the apparent imbalance in the application of justice surfaces, it soon raised questions. As allegations of corruption, financial impropriety, and abuse of office involving members of the ruling party began to surface, the once celebrated anti-corruption crusade appeared increasingly inconsistent. In several instances, investigations involving prominent party members were either prolonged indefinitely, quietly abandoned, or subjected to questionable prosecutorial discretion. This contradiction raises fundamental questions about the party’s ideological sincerity, moral authority, and commitment to the principles it once so passionately espoused.

Without prejudice, this exposition undertakes a critical reflection on the circumstances surrounding the formation of the ruling party, its proclaimed progressive objectives, and the realities of its performance in government. The core inquiry is whether the party has remained faithful to the ideals that justified its emergence, or whether it has simply reproduced the same political culture it once denounced. Ironically, the same party is now witnessing the investigation and prosecution of some of its own members who served under the previous administration led by the late President Muhammadu Buhari. This development further reinforces public perceptions of internal contradictions and institutional incoherence within the ruling establishment.

At its inception, the party was less a product of ideological coherence than a strategic coalition. It emerged from the merger of elements from two major political parties alongside various interest groups united primarily by a shared objective: to dislodge the incumbent government. The ruling party of the time had governed for sixteen years, and in the estimation of many Nigerians, had failed to deliver the expected dividends of democracy. Issues of insecurity, economic stagnation, unemployment, and poor governance dominated public discourse.

These challenges formed the backbone of the opposition’s campaign narrative. The rhetoric was intense, and the political messaging was sharpened by conspiracy theories and allegations concerning the inability or unwillingness of the incumbent government to effectively address the Boko Haram insurgency in northern Nigeria.

The administration in power at the time was repeatedly portrayed as incompetent, directionless, and irredeemably corrupt. It was branded the worst regime in Nigeria’s history, accused of squandering national resources and betraying public trust. Against this backdrop, the opposition party positioned itself as a corrective force, an alternative grounded in discipline, integrity, and patriotic resolve.

Yet, a decade later, it is manifestly disturbing to observe the sheer number of accused members of the current ruling party implicated in corruption-related scandals. Numerous cases involving alleged embezzlement, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment have either stagnated at investigative stages or are crawling through the judicial system with little sense of urgency.

As Nigeria approaches the end of 2025 under the continued leadership of this party, many of the fundamental challenges confronting the nation remain unresolved.

The persistent inadequacy of electricity supply one of the most basic indicators of development continues to cripple economic productivity and subject citizens to frequent darkness. Despite repeated promises and policy pronouncements, the power sector remains largely dysfunctional. Equally concerning is the recycling of political appointees across key government positions.

The repeated appointment of familiar political figures, often without demonstrable competence, to manage one of the largest and most complex bureaucratic systems in the world raises serious questions about meritocracy and institutional efficiency. When such appointees are supported by poorly trained or unmotivated staff, the result is predictable administrative stagnation.

Economic management under this dispensation has also drawn sustained criticism. Policy inconsistency, weak implementation, and an apparent disconnect between economic theory and social reality have worsened the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians. Even when inflation may seem to have been reduced as at October 2025, the purchasing power of Nigerians have been eroded, thereby pushing millions deeper into poverty.

Instead, citizens are now grappling with newly introduced fiscal policies and stringent tax enforcement regimes. While taxation is a legitimate tool of governance, its aggressive implementation in a struggling economy has infused fear and uncertainty among individuals and small businesses already stretched to their limits.

Although the security situation presents itself as improving regarding the fight against mindless killings, terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, there is the inevitable need to confront other criminal elements engaging in economic sabotage, armed robbery, financial crimes and communal violence. Innocent citizens have borne the brunt of this insecurity, while confidence in the state’s capacity to protect life and property must be significantly improved. It is a welcome development that the Nigeria’s security challenges have increasingly attracted global attention, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In practical terms, there appears to be little that fundamentally distinguishes the current ruling party from the one it replaced. Many of the political actors merely changed their party affiliation, adopting new slogans, symbols, and logos while retaining the same political habits and ambitions. Defections became commonplace, reinforcing the perception that ideology matters less than access to power. For these actors, the ruling party became a convenient vehicle, a means of transporting themselves back to the corridors of authority, often with the intent of remaining there indefinitely. This fluidity of political identity has weakened party discipline and undermined public confidence in democratic institutions.

The collective memory of Nigerians remains burdened by continued sixteen years of perceived mis-governance under the previous ruling party, followed by unbroken additional ten years of impoverishment under the current dispensation. The painful lesson is increasingly clear, as elections may change leaders, they do not automatically transform the leaders into good character.

In sum, as the nation looks toward 2027, the expectation of Nigerians is neither unreasonable nor unrealistic. Only when leaders govern with clear consciences devoid of corrupt practices and driven by a sincere commitment to the common good, can Nigeria begin to unlock and maximize its vast, God-given potential.

Justice Osai Ahiakwo wrote from Calabar, Cross River

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