Power Centralization and the Death of Multipart Competition in Nigeria

This study investigates the relationship between centralized political power and the weakening of multiparty democracy in Nigeria. Drawing from qualitative analysis of official reports, election briefings, investigative journalism, and academic studies from 2019 to 2024, the research explores how executive dominance, elite defections, and weak party institutions have collectively eroded competitive democracy. Despite the presence of over 90 registered political parties, the political landscape remains dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), creating a de facto two-party system. The study reveals that power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of the executive, reinforced by weak legislative oversight, politicized appointments, and the instrumental use of security agencies. Furthermore, defections from opposition parties to the ruling party particularly in the run-up to general elections exemplify a political culture rooted in opportunism rather than ideology. This trend not only limits the electoral viability of smaller parties but also undermines public confidence in democratic processes. The paper concludes that without structural reforms to reduce presidential overreach, strengthen party ideologies, and enforce constitutional checks on defections, Nigeria's multiparty system may continue to deteriorate. Recommendations include a review of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, increased funding and visibility for smaller parties, and civic education to empower voters to demand accountability beyond party loyalty