A leading governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Prince Adelaja Adeoye, has called on Nigerians to firmly oppose any drift toward a one-party state.
Adeoye, in a statement, said the country is being subtly advanced to one party state by elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He emphasised that a vibrant multi-party system is essential to upholding the democratic principles envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers, ensuring genuine choice, accountability, and responsive governance.
“Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 marked a deliberate shift from military dictatorship to a democratic order, giving citizens the freedom to freely elect their leaders through the ballot box rather than by imposition or coercion.
“Yet, recent political developments have raised concerns about attempts to consolidate power at the sub-national level through systemic one- party drift.
“The recent gale of defections by opposition governors and lawmakers to the APC has raised concerns of an emerging one-party dominance, with the ruling party now controlling 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
“A multi-party system empowers Nigerians to choose their leaders without fear or favour.
“It (multi-party system)deepens the democratic ideals upon which our republic was founded. For this to work effectively, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary must remain impartial and professional in the discharge of their duties during the 2027 elections,” he said.
Adeoye confirmed that his governorship bid had continued to receive endorsements from various interest groups in the state, most recently from Lagos for Prosperity Group (LPG).
He added that he had won the support of members of PDP across Nigeria due to his popularity.
He noted that a broad coalition of opposition parties was necessary to secure victory and deliver the change Lagosians and Nigerians desire.
Adeoye warned that any attempt by the ruling government to deploy state institutions to suppress opposition voices would not only be unconstitutional but would also provoke widespread resistance from the International community, Civil Society Organizations and citizens yearning for a better nation.
He described the APC government as disappointing, saying citizens’ lives had been negatively impacted by the economic policies of the current federal administration under President Bola Tinubu.
“Another dimension to state capture has been introduced by the ruling APC through planting of some anti -democratic tendencies to help the ruling party to hijack the main opposition parties, in order to achieve the one-party system through the back door. Nigerians are taking note of these undemocratic actions,” he said.
He said his vision for Lagos is one that prioritises transformative and inclusive governance.
Drawing on his extensive private-sector experience as a media strategist, thought leader, and real-estate developer, Adeoye said he would move beyond selective flagship projects to deliver inclusive prosperity for every Lagosian, irrespective of class or location.
According to him, his three-point agenda focuses on education, healthcare, and security as foundational pillars.
He pledged to revolutionise affordable housing through robust public-private partnerships (PPP), addressing the acute shortage that currently affects millions of residents.
On the economic front, Adeoye advocated aggressive diversification beyond oil dependency by fostering entrepreneurship, technology hubs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), tourism, the ocean economy, agriculture, and industrial clusters and infrastructures.
These initiatives aim to generate millions of sustainable direct and indirect jobs, particularly for youth, women, and underserved communities.
He said transportation infrastructure would receive urgent attention, with plans for expanded rail networks and modernised Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems to ease chronic congestion.
Environmental sustainability, transparent accountability, and grassroots mobilisation will underpin his administration, reconnecting governance with ordinary citizens and creating an enabling business environment that attracts investment and drives innovation.
