Michael Nwoko dismisses one-party claim, blames defection on philosophical derailment

BY ADAGHER TERSOO/ABUJA// The chief of staff to Senator Ned Nwoko, Dr Michael Nwoko, has firmly rejected the suggestion that Nigeria is on the brink of becoming a one-party state. Instead, he attributes the recent wave of political defections to what he describes as a philosophical derailment among political parties.
Nwoko pointed out that the political landscape has shifted significantly since the return to democratic governance in 1999, when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controlled 20 states after the elections. By 2003, the PDP’s influence extended to 29 states, and by 2007, its dominance peaked at 31 states out of the total 36 in the country.
However, as we approach 2025, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is projected to control 22 states, leaving the PDP with only 11. Nwoko emphasized that this distribution of power among multiple parties indicates that Nigeria is not trending towards a one-party system.
In drawing comparisons to the United States, Nwoko noted the American political structure, where currently 27 states are governed by the Republican Party and 23 by the Democratic Party out of a total of 50 states, resulting in a mere four-state difference. In contrast, Nigeria’s political divide shows an eight-state difference, highlighting a distinct political plurality.
Dr Michael Nwoko recently shared his insights as a guest panellist on the show Politics Tonight, aired on TVC News. He participated in a thoughtful discussion focused on the ongoing defections in the APC and the implications of maintaining a multi-party system.
Nwoko further elaborated on the challenges faced by Senator Ned Nwoko since his inauguration, noting that the PDP has strayed from the foundational ideals that once defined it.
He recalled that during the senator’s early time in office, he encountered significant difficulties collaborating effectively with the state government to fulfil his campaign commitments.
“Then, all the ideas that he put on the table were dismissed,” Nwoko reflected, emphasizing the critical importance of collaboration in governance. He underscored the notion that effective governance is built on cooperation and dialogue among political entities.
“Today, even those who were throwing punches at us then, for defecting, into the APC, are now with us in the APC. This is a testament to our realignment, and restrategizing to deliver governance to our people who voted us into power,” he concluded.
Dr Michael Nwoko is a Delta-born distinguished public health expert, community/youth development advocate, and fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, United Kingdom. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Medical School and a member of the American Public Health Association, is the Chief of Staff to Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr Nwoko’s expertise extends to grassroots mobilization and the advancement of the health sector. He has held various leadership positions, notably influencing health monitoring/evaluation and political campaigns.
Adagher TERSOO.