Democracy Under Strain? APC, ADC Clash Over Defections, Electoral Law and 2027 Politics

PHC Telegraph

A heated exchange between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown fresh light on growing political tensions in Nigeria as the country gradually begins to look ahead to the 2027 general elections.
The confrontation occurred during Monday’s edition of The Morning Show on Arise Television, where the spokesperson of the APC, Felix Morka, and a chieftain of the ADC, Ledan Salihu, traded accusations over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, the increasing wave of political defections, proposed changes to electoral laws and the direction of the country’s political system.
For several tense minutes, the two men sparred in what observers say could signal the beginning of a broader political contest over the narrative heading into the next electoral cycle.
Opposition Raises Alarm Over One-Party State
Speaking during the programme, Salihu accused the governing party of systematically weakening opposition platforms and creating conditions that could tilt Nigeria toward a de facto one-party system.
He argued that democracy thrives where competing political voices are allowed to flourish freely, warning that the alleged erosion of opposition space could undermine the country’s democratic structure.
Salihu was particularly critical of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a “tin god,” alleging that the presidency had encouraged political manoeuvres capable of weakening rival parties.
According to him, recent political developments — including defections by opposition figures — were raising questions about the health of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
“The idea that opposition parties are gradually being hollowed out is dangerous for democracy,” he suggested, arguing that political competition remains the backbone of any democratic system.

Questions Over Defections 

The ADC figure also questioned the increasing number of political office holders leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition platforms to join the APC.
He said many Nigerians were puzzled by the speed and frequency of these defections and were wondering whether political inducements or pressure from the federal centre could be responsible.
While acknowledging that politicians have the constitutional right to change parties, Salihu insisted that the pattern of defections was creating a perception that the ruling party was attempting to consolidate power across multiple levels of government.
The trend, he argued, could eventually narrow the political space available for opposition voices.

APC Rejects Allegations
Responding to the accusations, Morka dismissed the claims as exaggerated and politically motivated.
He maintained that Nigeria remains a vibrant democracy where politicians are free to align with any political platform of their choice.
According to him, the ruling party cannot be blamed if politicians from other parties decide to join it.
“Political association is guaranteed under the Constitution,” he said, stressing that individuals who defect do so voluntarily and in accordance with democratic norms.
Morka also rejected suggestions that the federal government was promoting a one-party state, insisting that such fears were unfounded.

Debate Over Electoral Law

Another point of contention during the exchange was the ongoing debate surrounding aspects of the Electoral Act 2022, particularly disc ussions relating to candidate disqualification and issues surrounding certificate forgery.
Morka downplayed concerns about the removal or adjustment of such provisions, arguing that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains the supreme law of the land and ultimately overrides any statutory legislation where contradictions exist.
The remark appeared aimed at calming public anxiety over possible changes that critics fear could weaken accountability standards for public office holders.
Security and Governance Concerns
Beyond electoral politics, the discussion also touched on the country’s persistent security challenges.
Both sides acknowledged that insecurity in several parts of the country remains a major national concern, though they differed sharply on the government’s handling of the situation.
While the ADC representative suggested that governance distractions and political manoeuvring were undermining efforts to tackle insecurity, the APC spokesman insisted the administration was making steady progress.

Early Political Signals for 2027
Political observers say the clash offers an early glimpse of the narratives likely to dominate the political landscape as Nigeria moves closer to the next election cycle.
With political alliances shifting and parties positioning themselves for influence, debates about democratic integrity, electoral reforms and political defections are expected to intensify.
For now, the exchange between Morka and Salihu reflects a broader contest over how the Tinubu administration will be judged — not only on governance and security, but also on the strength and resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
As the political season slowly gathers momentum, Monday’s encounter suggests that the battle for the country’s political future may already be underway.