By Uko Etim 

UYO—A Human Rights Activist, Dr Victor David has faulted the conduct of the 2026 All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries, warning that Nigeria is sliding into “selectocracy” where candidates are imposed by political elites rather than elected through transparent internal democracy.

David, also a public affairs analyst, said the pattern observed in the APC primaries across the country threatens the credibility of party democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Democracy is universally celebrated as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Yet, in many emerging democracies, especially Nigeria, political realities increasingly suggest the rise of a new phenomenon — ‘selectocracy'”.

He cited reports of consensus arrangements, delegate manipulation, elite endorsements and intimidation during the primaries from the North to the South. 

In Akwa Ibom State, David noted that the growing political influence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno has reshaped opposition politics and the balance of power within the APC. 

David pointed to protests and grievances reported in Ibeno, Abak, and Ibiono/Itu Federal Constituencies over alleged consensus deals during open primaries and the backing of elite-supported aspirants.

“From the perspective of Civil Society Organizations, this trend raises serious concerns about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria. 

“Civil society groups have consistently argued that democracy must go beyond periodic elections to include transparency, participation, accountability and equal political opportunity.”

He quoted the Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, Idayat Hassan, who said “internal party democracy remains one of the weakest links in Nigeria’s democratic process,” and referenced Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s warning that “the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”

According to David, selectocracy discourages credible participation by young professionals, women and grassroots activists, erodes voter confidence, fuels apathy and defections, and promotes patronage over public service.

He also cited the Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, Auwal Rafsanjani, who has repeatedly warned that “without internal democracy in political parties, national democracy becomes endangered.”

David acknowledged that the APC in Akwa Ibom had achieved relative peace through stakeholders’ meetings and reconciliation efforts led by Akpabio and Eno. However, he insisted that “political peace must not come at the expense of democratic competition.”

He urged political parties to embrace transparent primaries, reduce the monetization of politics, and guarantee equal opportunities for aspirants, adding that electoral institutions, civil society, the media and citizens must remain vigilant.

“For democracy to survive, it must remain participatory. Where selectocracy dominates, democracy survives only in name,” David said.