President of the ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside, has issued a strong warning over Nigeria’s political future, cautioning that allowing only one major political party to participate in the 2027 presidential election could severely threaten the country’s stability.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Peterside expressed deep concern about the potential consequences of a non-competitive electoral process, stressing that democracy thrives on credible opposition and meaningful choices for voters.
“If INEC makes the mistake of going into a general election with only one major party, I don’t want to predict what will happen to this nation,” Peterside said.
He noted that such a scenario would erode public confidence in the democratic system and could trigger widespread uncertainty across the country.
“But all bets are off in terms of stability. That is my assessment,” he added.
Peterside emphasized that political stability is closely tied to the perception of fairness and openness in the electoral process. According to him, when citizens feel excluded or believe that outcomes are predetermined, it creates fertile ground for unrest.
“So I would advise whoever has ears to listen,” he continued, issuing a pointed caution to stakeholders in Nigeria’s political space.
Highlighting the importance of inclusive participation, he stressed that a credible election must provide room for genuine competition among parties.
“If you want stability in a political system, you have to give a semblance of making people believe that some change is possible,” he said.
He further argued that the legitimacy of any government emerging from such an election would be questioned if the process lacks competitiveness.
“And that you are willing to allow some contest, some meaningful contest,” Peterside added.
The ANAP Foundation president maintained that democracy is not merely about conducting elections but ensuring that those elections are transparent, competitive, and reflective of the people’s will.
“Once people begin to feel that there is no real alternative or that the system is designed to favour just one side, you are inviting tension into the polity,” he said.
Peterside’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the future of Nigeria’s political landscape and concerns over the strength of opposition parties ahead of the next general elections.
Observers say his warning underscores the broader need for electoral integrity and institutional independence, particularly for bodies like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is responsible for overseeing elections in the country.
“As a nation, we must be careful not to undermine the very foundations of our democracy,” Peterside concluded.