By 
The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, has reaffirmed the strength of Nigeria’s federal structure, dismissing concerns that the country is drifting towards a one-party state.
Responding to recent public commentary on Nigeria’s political trajectory, Yakubu maintained that the country continues to operate a competitive and decentralised fiscal system, where subnational governments retain significant autonomy in line with established regulatory frameworks and governance structures.
He explained that state governments not only benefit from statutory allocations but also exercise independent fiscal authority, reinforcing the principles of fiscal federalism and decentralised governance. According to him, this reality contradicts claims of increasing centralisation and weakening democratic institutions.
Yakubu further pointed to electoral patterns across the country as evidence of a functioning competitive system. He noted that varying political alignments and voting outcomes reflect a dynamic environment shaped by competition rather than control.
“What exists is not centralised capture, but a system of competitive federal alignment driven by strategic incentives,” he said.
Addressing concerns about a potential one-party system, the DG stated that such claims are not supported by empirical indicators. He noted that true one-party systems are typically characterised by electoral suppression, absence of credible opposition, and institutional closure—conditions he said are not present in Nigeria.
Instead, he described the current political environment as one marked by fragmented electoral outcomes, active judicial oversight, and sustained political contestation—elements consistent with a competitive democratic system and effective governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) structures.
Yakubu characterised the perceived dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of coalition consolidation rather than systemic imbalance. He explained that the party emerged in 2013 through a merger of opposition groups and its 2015 electoral victory marked a significant shift toward competitive democracy in Nigeria.
He argued that the APC should be viewed as a multi-regional coalition rather than a dominant hegemonic force, noting that its success reflects organisational strength and strategic alignment.
On the role of opposition parties, Yakubu attributed their current challenges to internal weaknesses rather than systemic repression. He identified poor organisation, lack of ideological clarity, and limited coalition-building capacity as key issues affecting their performance.
He emphasised that opposition must be structured and strategic, noting that political power is attained through coordination and policy-driven engagement rather than rhetoric alone.
Yakubu also addressed the issue of political defections, describing them as a feature of evolving political systems rather than a sign of democratic decline. He explained that Nigeria’s political landscape has historically been fluid, with actors aligning based on governance viability and strategic considerations.
On governance performance, he stressed that administrations should be assessed based on measurable outcomes such as macroeconomic stability, infrastructure development, energy reforms, and fiscal sustainability—key indicators aligned with sound risk management and regulatory policy implementation.
He highlighted ongoing structural reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and increased capital investment, as necessary measures to drive long-term economic stability and improve regulatory compliancewithin the broader fiscal system.
While acknowledging the political sensitivity of these reforms, Yakubu maintained that they are consistent with global best practices and essential for sustainable development.
He also cautioned against drawing parallels with historical political crises, such as the Awolowo–Akintola conflict, describing such comparisons as outdated. According to him, Nigeria’s current democratic framework is more institutionalised, supported by stronger constitutional safeguards, an active judiciary, and improved electoral processes.
Yakubu concluded that Nigeria is not heading toward a one-party state but is instead experiencing the consolidation of competitive coalition politics. He emphasised that sustaining political balance depends on the ability of opposition parties to reorganise, strengthen internal structures, and present credible alternatives.
“Power gravitates towards organisation, not indignation,” he stated.
Comments