A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said he is not intimidated by alleged legal and political manoeuvres aimed at weakening opposition parties, insisting that no party can monopolise power in Nigeria.

In a statement on Thursday, he said Nigeria’s multiparty democracy remains firmly rooted, adding that he was “not intimidated by the legal and political subterfuges sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”

According to him, Nigeria’s political history shows that no individual or party has ever succeeded in monopolising power, noting that pluralism has been central to the country’s democratic evolution since independence.

“Nigeria has always been committed to multiparty democracy. Even in the First Republic, political power was never concentrated in the hands of one man or one party,” he said.

He recalled that despite the dominance of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) under the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, other movements such as the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), Middle Belt Congress (MBC), and Borno Peoples Union wielded significant influence.

Olawepo-Hashim said a similar pattern existed in the South-West, where the Action Group competed with the NCNC alongside regional platforms such as the Ibadan Peoples Party.

“Our democracy has never been one of a single star flying alone in the firmament. In our sky are thousands of stars,” he said.

Drawing parallels with history, he likened the current political climate to the failed self-succession agenda of late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.

“Just as the Abacha plot ended unrealised, this current machination will also fail,” he said, adding that efforts to weaken opposition parties would ultimately collapse.