Abuja: The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Dr. Chibuzor Okereke, has declared that Nigeria will not devolve into a one-party state as preparations for the 2027 general elections gain momentum. Okereke made this assertion during a feature on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the nation’s multi-party democracy.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Okereke urged Nigerians to dismiss any narratives suggesting a drift towards a one-party state and encouraged active participation in political activities to support the existing multi-party framework. He described such narratives as political constructs aimed at gaining an advantage and highlighted the 1999 Constitution’s provision for a multi-party system, stressing the necessity of opposition in the political landscape.
Okereke expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic structure, stating, “I am not nursing the fear that our country could drift toward a one-party state.” He pointed out that conspiracy theories and political constructs are common during political periods but are countered by laws that uphold a multi-party system. He emphasized the need for institutions of power and democracy to fulfill their responsibilities to prevent concerns about a one-party drift.
Identifying key institutions like the judiciary, electoral bodies, and other state structures, Okereke stressed their role in ensuring due process. He advocated for the registration of new political parties meeting the criteria and underscored the importance of political parties respecting their constitutions to avoid internal crises.
Okereke attributed internal issues within opposition parties to a lack of leadership discipline and constitutional order. He highlighted the vital role of political parties as gateways to government formation, warning against vulnerabilities that desperate individuals might exploit for control over the economy, policies, and state funds.
Emphasizing the need for ideology-driven governance, Okereke argued against personality-driven laws and advocated for statesmen to ensure the emergence of the best candidates through due process, stating, “That is the only way internal democracy can work.”