A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has declared that pro-democracy forces across Nigeria will resist any attempt to impose a one-party system on the country.
Hashim made the declaration following a strategic meeting with senior lawyer Femi Falana, as part of ongoing consultations with stakeholders on the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
“We resolved to sustain the multi-party structure of Nigeria’s democracy and resist one-party rule,” Hashim said in a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday.
He described Falana as a long-standing ally, noting that their relationship spans over four decades of activism, resistance, and commitment to justice.
Hashim recalled their involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle under the Nigeria-ANC Friendship and Cultural Association, including a protest held on January 7, 1988, during the visit of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
According to him, the protest led to the arrest of several activists after they defied security restrictions at the airport. He paid tribute to those involved, noting that only a few are still alive.
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Hashim also highlighted his legal battles against military rule, including a suit challenging the Structural Adjustment Programme under the regime of Ibrahim Babangida, where Falana served as his pro bono lawyer.
He further referenced his role in the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, working under the late Beko Ransome-Kuti, describing the experience as central to his pro-democracy convictions.
Hashim stressed that consultations with like-minded stakeholders would continue in a bid to safeguard democratic values, civil liberties, and political plurality in Nigeria.
Nigeria has maintained a multi-party democratic system since 1999. However, recent political realignments, including defections to the All Progressives Congress and internal crises within opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, have raised concerns about the possibility of a dominant-party system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts warn that weakening opposition platforms and reduced electoral competition could undermine democratic accountability if not addressed.