Nigeria is headed toward dictatorship If left unchecked, warns Ozekhome.

Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), a well-known Nigerian constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, has warned that Nigeria is "gradually driving without knowing it towards a one-party state." He believes that if the people do not actively oppose this trend, it could eventually turn into a full-fledged dictatorship.

During his Saturday appearance on Channels Television's "Hard Copy" program, Ozekhome voiced his profound concern about the state of politics, criticizing what he called "bootlicking at its highest level" and the growing pattern of elected officials cross-carpeting and leaving their positions.

He maintained that such behavior shows that politicians lack intellectual foundation and seem to put their own interests ahead of party ideals.

Ozekhome criticized the lack of remorse among party switchers, saying, "It is like beans, akara, and moi-moi; they are the same."

He argued that a one-party state invariably results in unbridled authority, making this erosion of ideological distinction a risky strategy.

"Dictatorship is supreme in a one-party state," he stated.

“Everybody will agree. National Assembly pocketed, judiciary will be pocketed, and everybody will be saying ‘yes, yes, yes.'”

Drawing historical analogies, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria mentioned the PDP's 16-year tenure, during which they notoriously claimed to have ruled for 60 years before collapsing.

He proposed that even though President Bola Tinubu has positioned his supporters in key areas of government, if the opposition continues to be divided, Tinubu may "essentially run against himself" in the 2027 elections.

Ozekhome was particularly appalled by the public's seeming complacency, which he compared to "Stockholm Syndrome."

He maintained that the typical Nigerian, driven to the brink by adversity, would choose to flee than confront their attackers, resulting in a state of "helplessness and hopelessness."

Reminding Nigerians that "the power is yours; it is not theirs," he called on them to be strong and hold their governments responsible.