Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has described the formation of an opposition coalition as a positive development for Nigeria’s democracy, warning against the dangers of a one-party system.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday after casting his vote during the local government elections in Surulere, Lagos, Gbajabiamila welcomed the coalition formed by leading opposition parties to challenge the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“It is a welcome development with the coalition. It is not the first time we are seeing this,” he said.
“In every democracy, we must have some level of opposition, otherwise we will run into a one-party state. But I’m not sure where it would go.”

His comments come amid widespread defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), raising concerns that Nigeria may be drifting toward a one-party system under the APC.

In response to the growing influence of the ruling party, several opposition leaders recently came together to form a coalition, adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their joint platform for the 2027 general elections.

While some members of Tinubu’s administration have accused the coalition of plotting to unseat the president by unconstitutional means, Gbajabiamila’s stance appeared more measured, affirming the importance of a viable opposition in sustaining democratic balance.

The opposition coalition includes key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark, among others.