By Lawrence Agbo

Segun Sowunmi, a prominent chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has warned that Nigeria could devolve into a one-party state under the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the ongoing tensions between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, remain unresolved.

During an appearance on Politics Today, Sowunmi emphasised the need for mediation to safeguard the country’s democratic principles and prevent political instability.

“With due respect, the APC needs to reflect on whether it is functioning as a genuine political party, even though it is in government,” Sowunmi remarked.

He also addressed the ongoing tensions between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, calling for swift mediation to prevent further political instability.

Sowunmi highlighted the importance of resolving the feud to maintain a healthy democratic process in Nigeria.

“There is a risk of this democracy morphing into a one-party state if the necessary mediation isn’t applied to the Wike-Fubara feud,” Sowunmi stated.

He added, “The PDP has just conducted congresses all over the country; I can’t recall when our rivals, the APC, even mentioned anything about such a thing. We’re striving to uphold the principles of democracy; it’s not a graveyard peace—people will have opinions and will go to court. The APC must be deceiving itself if it thinks it is a political party. It might be in government or be a special-purpose vehicle for contesting elections, but it would be laughable for them to look at themselves and see how one person wakes up in the morning, throws away the chairman, and they conduct a congress. Someone emerges, and then the next day, they order that the election be redone.”