Nigeria's 2025 political calendar will be remembered less for elections and more for moments of disruption, when power was tested, authority extended, and the country's democratic tendencies confronted deep structural concerns.
From the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State to fears of a coup and the unprecedented upsurge in Nigeria-US security ties and a storm of defections, this year has turned out to be a series of stress tests for Africa's most populous democracy.
Together, these events did more than grab headlines; They shaped the national conversation about federal power, civil-military relations, sovereignty, and the fragility of political settlements in a deeply polarized politics.
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Rivers emergency
The political crisis in Rivers State had been going on for several months and finally ended in March 2025. At the center of the turmoil was a bitter power struggle between Governor Siminalai Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, who is now a powerful figure in President Bola Tinubu's cabinet as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
What began as a rift within the state's political elite soon turned into institutional paralysis. The Rivers State House of Assembly was divided along factional lines, governance stalled and political violence loomed in the background of daily governance.
By 18 March, Tinubu moved to use his constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency in the oil-rich south-south state.
Fubara was suspended along with all elected officials, a move that immediately divided legal minds and political analysts. Supporters argued that the President acted to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order.
Critics countered that suspending an elected governor crossed the constitutional red line and endangered Nigeria's federal balance.
The controversy soon escalated from public debate to the courts. The governors, elected on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), sued the President challenging the scope of his powers under the emergency rule.
The Supreme Court recently issued a historic decision, confirming that the President can suspend elected officials during a declared state of emergency.
To administer Rivers during the emergency period, Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator.
Ibas's six-month tenure was marked by both administrative peace and political controversy, particularly as he oversaw local government elections that led to new chairmen across the state.
By September, power was formally returned to Fubara, marking the end of emergency rule. But the crisis itself was far from resolved.
In a move that was already predicted by analysts, Fubara, elected under the PDP, joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further changing the political equations in the state. Nevertheless, Wike and his allies continued to issue candid public statements, indicating that the battle for Rivers' political soul is far from over.
Fubara's defection was one of several other incidents that occurred this year under circumstances that remain controversial.
rumor of a coup
In October, reports emerged that security agencies had arrested at least 16 military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Tinubu and end Nigeria's 26-year experiment of uninterrupted civilian rule.
Although the federal government did not officially confirm the plot, the ripple effects were immediate and profound.
Perhaps, the clearest sign of official concern was the cancellation of the annual Independence Day military parade on 1 October.
According to reports, the incident was reportedly identified by the conspirators as the moment to assassinate the President and other top officials, a claim that raised public concern even in the absence of a formal government disclosure.
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This fear did not arise suddenly. Since 2021, West Africa has seen a worrying resurgence of military takeovers.
Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso all fell under juntas and, by 2024, dramatically pulled out of ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States. Democratic norms were already under strain in the region.
Just weeks after Nigeria's own scare, troops seized power in Guinea-Bissau following a controversial general election, stoking fears that the coup was rekindling.
In the Republic of Benin, a deadly attempt to overthrow the government with Nigerian support was foiled, underscoring Abuja's role as both a stabilizer of regional stability and a potential target.
Redesignating Nigeria as CPC and the first US air strike
On October 31, US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a 'Country of Particular Concern (CPC)' over allegations of widespread violations of religious freedom, including claims of Christian genocide. The CPC label, reserved for the world's worst criminals, came with a caveat that military options were not off the table.
This was not the first time that Nigeria received this designation. Trump first imposed it in 2020, before President Joe Biden lifted it months later, a decision that was criticized by conservative lawmakers and religious advocacy groups in Washington. The re-designation of 2025 reignited a fierce debate over how to interpret Nigeria's complex security crisis.
Abuja pushed back forcefully. Nigerian officials stressed that the violence across the country was driven by criminal banditry, competition over land and resources, and the opportunism of armed groups, not a state-sanctioned campaign of religious persecution. Nevertheless, diplomatic temperatures rose rapidly.
Behind closed doors, Nigeria increased engagement with US officials. That diplomacy culminated in a surprise development on Christmas Day: the first confirmed US airstrike on Nigerian soil. According to the federal government, the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts in the Bauni Forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
While uncertainty remains over whether the missiles were launched from sea platforms in the Gulf of Guinea, debris from the operation reportedly fell on Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State and Offa in Kwara State. The government confirmed that there were no civilian casualties.
These attacks marked a new and controversial chapter in Nigeria's security partnership, raising difficult questions about sovereignty, intelligence sharing, and precedent for foreign military action within Nigeria's borders.
ADC emerges as new 'third force'
As prolonged internal strife weakened opposition parties and limited their ability to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition politicians formed a coalition that eventually merged into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in early 2025.
The alliance followed almost a year of strategic, closed-door discussions among opposition leaders who agreed on the need for a common political platform to confront the APC and challenge the current administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The opposition faction was led by prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Chibuike Amaechi, former Minister of Transport; Peter Obi, former Labor Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election; and former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, among others.
Politicians said the decision to unite under the ADC has become imperative to present a unified opposition front and avoid further fragmentation of the opposition vote in future elections.
In the months following 2025, the ADC gained prominence across the country, and emerged as a rallying point for opposition politicians.
Party officials in Lagos State confirmed ongoing discussions on membership expansion and structural restructuring to accommodate new entrants.
The party also opened a new national headquarters and announced a new leadership structure, electing former Osun State Governor and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, while former Senate President David Mark emerged as national chairman.
Mass defection to the ruling APC
One of the most significant political developments of 2025 was the mass defection of opposition politicians to the ruling APC.
There are growing concerns in some quarters over the scale of defections about the possibility of Nigeria moving towards a one-party system ahead of the 2027 elections.
Several state governors, elected on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), joined the APC, along with several federal and state parliamentarians and other political figures who did not hold public office.
Governors who defected during the year include Governor Sheriff Oborewori of Delta State; Rivers State Governor Siminalai Fubara; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.
Reports in recent weeks said governors of Plateau and Taraba states were considering or had concluded moves to join the ruling party.
Defections continued throughout the year and are expected to increase through 2026, significantly changing the political landscape ahead of the next general election.
Suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Another major political event in 2025 was the suspension by the Nigerian Senate of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The suspension was followed by a heated confrontation between the legislators and the Senate leadership during the plenary session over procedural disagreements, which escalated into an exchange on the Senate floor.
The matter was later referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Litigation for investigation.
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Following its deliberations, the committee submitted a report recommending disciplinary action against the senator.
The Senate adopted the report via voice vote, approving his suspension based on alleged misconduct, violation of Senate rules and actions deemed inconsistent with legislative decorum.
As a result of the suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from participating in plenary meetings, committee activities and other legislative functions.
In line with the Senate disciplinary procedures, his office activities within the National Assembly premises were also affected.
The decision evoked widespread reactions from political actors, civil society organizations and rights groups.
However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later filed suit against the Senate, challenging the legality of his suspension and urging the court to determine whether the action was lawful.
The legal dispute between the senator and the Senate leadership remained unresolved, with both sides continuing to pursue the matter in court.
