.calls for resistance against one-party dominance
By Our Reporter
Leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Prince Adelaja Adeoye, has thrown his weight behind the massive opposition protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, urging Nigerians to firmly resist any attempt to drift toward a one-party state.
Adeoye, a real estate entrepreneur and President of the Laja Adeoye Foundation (LAF), made the call in the statement, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, in reaction to the large-scale #OccupyINEC demonstration.
The protest drew leading opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and many others.
Protesters accused INEC of partisan actions that undermined opposition parties, particularly in its handling of leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The PDP governorship aspirant, while throwing support for the protest, stressed that a vibrant multi-party democracy remained essential to the principles of choice, accountability, and responsive governance that Nigeria’s founding fathers envisioned when the country returned to civilian rule in 1999.
"Recent developments, including the gale of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which now controls 31 out of 36 states and perceived selective decisions by INEC, raise serious concerns about a deliberate push toward one-party dominance," Adeoye said.
Adeoye called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), to ensure his name is written in gold by upholding the rule of law, remaining impartial, and refusing to be used as a tool to enthrone a one-party state or undermine democratic processes ahead of the 2027 elections.
"What we are witnessing today is unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history, opposition parties being thrown into disarray apparently to clear the path for one individual or party to dominate indefinitely. This only confirms the ruling party’s fear of facing the electorate in free and fair contests," he said.
The PDP chieftain emphasised that INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary must remain strictly professional and neutral during the 2027 electoral cycle, noting that a multi-party system empowers Nigerians to choose their leaders without fear or favour, just as it also deepens the democratic ideals upon which the nation's republic was founded.
"A multi-party system empowers Nigerians to choose their leaders without fear or favour. It deepens the democratic ideals upon which our republic was founded. For this to work, INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary must discharge their duties with utmost impartiality," he stated.
Speaking further, the PDP front-runner in Lagos confirmed that his governorship bid continues to enjoy strong endorsements from various groups, including the Lagos for Prosperity Group (LPG), key organs of the PDP, other opposition parties and ordinary Lagosians, adding that his popularity had also attracted support from PDP members across the country.
Adeoye, however, advocated for a broad coalition of opposition forces to defeat the ruling party and deliver the change that Nigerians desired, warning that any deployment of state institutions to suppress opposition voices would be unconstitutional and provoke strong resistance from citizens, civil society organisations, and the international community.
Describing the current APC-led Federal Government as disappointing, Adeoye sadly noted that its economic policies had worsened the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
Besides, he condemned what he described as "state capture" tactics aimed at weakening opposition parties through the back door in order to achieve one-party control.
On his vision for Lagos, Adeoye pledged transformative and inclusive governance drawn from his private-sector experience as a media strategist, thought leader, and real estate developer, promising to move beyond selective projects to deliver inclusive prosperity for all residents, regardless of class or location.
The PDP governorship aspirant, while affirming that his three-point agenda prioritises education, healthcare, and security as foundational pillars, expressed strong commitment to revolutionising affordable housing through robust public-private partnerships (PPPs) to tackle the severe shortage affecting millions of Lagosians.
Economically, Adeoye said he planned to aggressively diversify the state beyond oil revenue sharing (FAAC) by promoting entrepreneurship, technology hubs, SMEs, tourism, the ocean economy, agriculture, and industrial clusters.
According to him, these efforts would create millions of sustainable jobs, especially for youth, women, and underserved communities.
He further promised urgent investments in transportation infrastructure, including expanded rail networks and modernised Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems to ease chronic traffic congestion, assuring that environmental sustainability, transparent governance, grassroots engagement, and a business-friendly environment would form the bedrock of his administration in attracting investment and fostering innovation.
Adeoye’s strong endorsement of today’s protest underscores growing opposition unity against perceived threats to multi-party democracy as Nigeria approaches the 2027 General Elections.
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