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Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, have clashed over claims of a one-party state.
Many opposition politicians alleged that Tinubu is attempting to turn the country’s political landscape into a one-party state, as politicians, governors, and lawmakers began ditching their former political parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The claim resurfaced following a recent move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which plunged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into an internal leadership crisis. INEC removed the name of former Senate President David Mark from its official portal on April 1, 2026. This action followed a Court of Appeal ruling in a leadership dispute within the ADC.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday morning, Obi said he and other members of ADC reject a one-party state.
We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed. We say NO to a one-party system and for that today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) April 8, 2026
“We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed. We say NO to a one-party system, and for that, today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land,” Obi wrote.
In a response to Obi’s post, Tinubu’s aide dismissed Obi’s one-party state claims, adding that it is an insult to Nigerians.
Mr Obi, there are 21 registered political parties by @inecnigeria in Nigeria as of today. Almost half of these parties have elected representatives in both national and sub national governments in Nigeria. The party on whose back you contested (before running away as usual) still… https://t.co/V6cqsZXwIT
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) April 8, 2026
“Mr Obi, there are 21 registered political parties by @inecnigeria in Nigeria as of today. Almost half of these parties have elected representatives in both national and sub-national governments in Nigeria,” Olusegun wrote.
“The party on whose back you contested (before running away as usual) still has elected representatives in the national assembly and controls Abia State. Your attempt to paint Nigeria as a one party state because of the self inflicted shot to leg of your current political SPV (The ADC) is an insult to every sensible Nigerian. Your agenda is dead on arrival.”
Obi decamped to the ADC in 2025 and joined some other opposition leaders to form a coalition which vows to unseat Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The party has faced some setbacks, which members have alleged were sponsored by the APC.
