—– Says democracy thrives when opposition voices are protected and citizens are free to make choices without coercion or political pressure.

Barrister Oruruo called on Nigerians to remain vigilant in defending the frontiers of democracy and to firmly resist any attempt to drift the country toward a one-party system.

He warned that the dominance of a single political party could weaken democratic institutions and undermine accountability in governance.

According to him, “ the kind of Nigeria we see today, how much are we going to succeed if we continue in one party system. It is very clear that the party system is substitutiously or tacitly imposed on Nigerian people by the centre. I beg to differ completely, if we have a viable and vibrant opposition, it will provide an opening for further scrutiny and help the administration to even do well. It is a mirror through which you can see yourself. That mirror provides opportunities for you to redirect your governance and make sure that what we have is not a state capture. Take for instance, it took Donald Trump, president of America declaring Nigeria a state of under watch and providing pressure on this government to look the way of security, despite all the efforts being provided by the presidency, It was not enough for the people.

Continuing, but today you can see the speed at which the administration is tackling insecurity because a certain man has spoken from a distance. That is the place of opposition. It is the job opposition should have dispatched but because we have opposition lying low and being forced to stay quiet in the system, then what do you get, you get absolute silence, complicity, complacency, you get a disoriented front, a front that cannot confront the government.”

He urged Nigerians to actively participate in civic processes, hold leaders accountable, and resist actions that could stifle dissent or political diversity.

The legal practitioner further noted that Nigeria’s democratic journey has been sustained by the sacrifices of past and present citizens, adding that it is the collective responsibility of Nigerians to ensure those gains are not eroded.

Oruruo emphasized that defending democracy goes beyond elections, calling for respect for the rule of law, freedom of expression, and equal political opportunities for all parties.

He therefore concluded by urging Nigerians to remain united in protecting democratic ideals for the stability and future development of the nation.