Dr. Y. Y. Oyedemi Muslim, the Accord senatorial candidate for Oyo North, has called for a fundamental reconsideration and reconceptualisation of the Third Force movement in Nigeria’s contemporary political landscape, arguing that the country’s worsening socio-economic challenges and the shortcomings of mainstream political parties make the emergence of a people-oriented political alternative increasingly imperative.
Oyedemi, who made the call in an analytical discourse titled “Third Force and the Nigerian Contemporary Politics: Time to Reconceptualise,” maintained that Nigeria’s political development requires a departure from conventional political calculations towards a more humanistic, inclusive and welfare-driven approach capable of addressing the needs of ordinary citizens.
He identified the Accord political platform in Oyo State, particularly under the humanitarian influence of Oriyomi Hamzat, as a potential vehicle for translating people-centred politics into tangible social transformation.
According to him, the time has come for Nigerians to rethink the meaning, relevance and possibilities of the Third Force movement rather than continue to operate within a political environment dominated by established parties and entrenched political interests.
Reconsidering the Meaning of Third Force
Tracing the intellectual origins of the expression, Oyedemi explained that the term Third Force was originally associated with humanistic psychology, particularly the work of American psychologist Abraham Maslow, who advanced an approach that placed human needs, personal growth and self-actualisation at the centre of understanding human behaviour.
He noted that humanistic psychology emerged as an alternative to psychoanalysis and behaviourism, with other prominent contributors, including Carl Rogers and Rollo May, advancing perspectives that emphasised human potential, personal agency and the capacity for development.
Although the transition of the expression from psychology to political discourse remains unclear, Oyedemi observed that it has come to describe political movements and parties operating outside the dominant political establishment.
Within Nigeria’s contemporary political configuration, he identified the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the principal mainstream political parties, alongside other political platforms whose relationships with the dominant political blocs often reflect shifting alliances and local political calculations.
He listed Accord, the Labour Party, the Youth Party and the Action Alliance among the parties that may be considered part of the broader Third Force conversation, depending on the political context.
However, Oyedemi argued that the concept should not be reduced to the mere existence of political parties outside the dominant establishment.
Rather, he maintained that a meaningful Third Force must be defined by its capacity to challenge entrenched political practices, promote democratic accountability and offer credible alternatives to the existing order.
Political Ideology and the Crisis of Party Identity
The Accord senatorial candidate further contended that political ideology has progressively lost its defining influence in Nigeria’s party system, with politicians frequently moving between political platforms without demonstrating consistent ideological commitments.
He argued that the movement of political actors across ideological and party boundaries has weakened the traditional distinctions between the political left, centre and right.
According to him, the Nigerian political environment is increasingly shaped by electoral calculations, personal ambitions, political expediency and the pursuit of power rather than clearly articulated ideological positions.
He maintained that the fluidity of party affiliations has made it difficult to distinguish political parties on the basis of coherent policy philosophies, insisting that the emergence of a genuine Third Force must therefore be accompanied by a renewed commitment to public service, social justice and the welfare of citizens.
For Oyedemi, the central question is no longer simply whether a political party belongs to the mainstream or the opposition, but whether its political philosophy and practical conduct offer a credible pathway to improving the lives of Nigerians.
Twenty-Seven Years of Civil Rule and the Burden of Unfulfilled Expectations
Assessing Nigeria’s democratic experience, Oyedemi expressed concern that nearly 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since the restoration of democratic government in 1999 have not produced the level of socio-economic advancement expected by the population.
While acknowledging investments in infrastructure and social services, he argued that persistent corruption, the high cost of governance, weaknesses in the rule of law and shortcomings in economic management have continued to undermine the benefits of democracy.
He maintained that the existence of major infrastructure projects and improvements in selected macroeconomic indicators should not be treated as sufficient evidence of successful governance when ordinary citizens continue to grapple with declining purchasing power, rising living costs and limited economic opportunities.
Oyedemi stressed that democratic performance must ultimately be assessed by its impact on citizens’ living conditions, access to essential services, employment prospects and overall economic security.
He also argued that Nigeria’s economic challenges cannot be resolved through headline economic indicators alone, noting that the stabilisation of the naira and the accumulation of foreign reserves, although important, must translate into measurable improvements in household welfare.
Tinubu’s Leadership and the Test of Democratic Accountability
Turning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Oyedemi acknowledged the President’s political determination and boldness while arguing that the administration must demonstrate not only the capacity to govern but also the ability to deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
He referenced Tinubu’s well-known political campaign expression, “Emi Lokan,” arguing that the political mandate must be justified through measurable achievements rather than political rhetoric and strategic manoeuvres.
According to him, leadership should be judged by its ability to confront structural challenges, strengthen public institutions, tackle corruption and ensure that economic reforms do not disproportionately burden vulnerable sections of the population.
Oyedemi warned that a political administration could be remembered for its bold declarations and tactical political decisions yet fall short of its historic responsibilities if those decisions failed to produce sustainable social and economic progress.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to pursue a governance agenda that combines economic stability with inclusive development, institutional accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Local Government Autonomy and the Rule of Law
Oyedemi also criticised what he described as the failure to fully realise the promise of local government autonomy following the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local government councils.
He argued that the implementation challenges surrounding the judgment exposed deeper concerns about constitutional compliance, the rule of law and the relationship between state governments and local government administrations.
In his assessment, local government autonomy should serve as an instrument for bringing democratic governance closer to the people, improving grassroots development and ensuring that public resources are deployed to address community-level needs.
He maintained that any arrangement that undermines the practical independence of local governments risks weakening grassroots democracy and frustrating the developmental objectives of the constitutional framework.
For Oyedemi, the effectiveness of democratic governance depends not only on judicial pronouncements but also on the willingness of political officeholders and institutions to respect and implement the law.
Lessons from Ondo and Oyo States
Drawing attention to previous political developments in the South-West, Oyedemi cited the emergence of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State and the political experience of Senator Rashidi Ladoja in Oyo State as examples of how alternative political platforms can challenge established political structures.
He argued that Mimiko’s political trajectory demonstrated the potential of an alternative political movement to mobilise popular support against entrenched political interests and provide a platform for political change.
He also referenced Ladoja’s experience with the Accord Party, noting that although the former Oyo State governor did not secure the governorship through that platform in the particular contest under discussion, the party demonstrated an ability to attract electoral support and secure other elective positions.
Oyedemi said these experiences offer important lessons for contemporary political actors seeking to establish a credible alternative to dominant political parties.
He stressed, however, that the success of a Third Force movement depends on more than its ability to attract prominent politicians or challenge established parties during elections.
Such a movement, he argued, must possess a clear social purpose, a credible leadership structure, a practical policy agenda and a sustained connection with the electorate.
Human-Centred Politics as an Alternative to Political Commercialisation
A major concern raised by Oyedemi was what he described as the growing commercialisation of Nigerian politics, in which political participation is increasingly approached as an investment for private gain rather than a responsibility to serve the public.
He argued that the dominance of transactional political calculations has undermined the emergence of genuinely populist and welfare-oriented governance.
According to him, a political system driven primarily by personal enrichment and the acquisition of power is unlikely to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged communities or pursue policies capable of reducing social inequality.
Oyedemi maintained that the Third Force should therefore be reconceptualised as a human-centred political movement that places citizens’ welfare, dignity, freedom and opportunities for self-development at the heart of governance.
He invoked the principle that silence in the face of tyranny amounts to a surrender of civic responsibility, drawing on the broader democratic tradition of resistance to oppression and political subjugation.
He argued that Nigerians must move beyond political complacency and embrace alternatives that can challenge practices that weaken democratic institutions and limit citizens’ participation in governance.
Poverty and the Urgency of Political Reorientation
Oyedemi further situated Nigeria’s political challenges within the wider socio-economic realities of sub-Saharan Africa, a region that continues to face a substantial burden of extreme poverty despite its human and natural resources.
He argued that the persistence of widespread deprivation should compel African political leaders and citizens to question political arrangements that have failed to deliver inclusive prosperity.
For him, the contradiction between abundant resources and persistent hardship underscores the need for political innovation, stronger accountability mechanisms and a renewed commitment to people-oriented development.
He maintained that Nigeria cannot afford to continue treating political party affiliation as an end in itself while millions of citizens remain concerned about access to education, healthcare, decent housing, employment and other basic necessities.
Oyedemi called for a political culture that measures success by the extent to which public institutions improve living standards and expand opportunities for ordinary people.
Oriyomi Hamzat and the Accord Opportunity in Oyo State
Against this background, Oyedemi identified the emergence of Oriyomi Hamzat within the Accord political platform in Oyo State as an opportunity to advance a more humanitarian approach to politics.
He described Hamzat as a public figure whose reputation for charitable interventions and service to humanity predates his direct participation in electoral politics.
According to Oyedemi, Hamzat’s involvement in education, healthcare, family welfare and human-rights-related interventions provides a foundation upon which a broader people-centred political agenda could be developed.
He argued that Hamzat’s experience in the mass media and his understanding of the power of communication could also contribute to mobilising citizens, raising awareness of social challenges and encouraging greater participation in public affairs.
Oyedemi noted that Hamzat had previously supported individuals whom he believed could provide relief to ordinary citizens through political office, although, in his assessment, some of those political choices had failed to deliver the expected outcomes.
He presented Hamzat’s decision to take a more direct role in politics as an opportunity to translate humanitarian commitments into a more structured political programme.
However, he maintained that the ultimate value of such an initiative would depend on its ability to transform personal goodwill into effective institutions, transparent decision-making and sustainable public policies.
From Humanitarian Reputation to Sustainable Political Transformation
Oyedemi argued that humanitarian service can provide a useful foundation for political leadership, but that goodwill alone cannot substitute for the structures required to govern effectively.
He suggested that a credible Third Force platform must institutionalise its welfare commitments through clear programmes, measurable targets, transparent resource management and mechanisms that allow citizens to hold political leaders accountable.
Such an approach, he maintained, would distinguish a genuine people-centred political movement from conventional electoral mobilisation driven by personalities and short-term political interests.
He urged supporters of the Accord platform in Oyo State to embrace what he described as its political mantra by translating the promise of humanitarian service into practical commitments on education, healthcare, poverty reduction, human rights and community development.
For the movement to achieve lasting change, he argued, its leaders must demonstrate that the values associated with humanitarian interventions can be sustained through public institutions and policy decisions.
A Call for a New Political Direction
Concluding his argument, Oyedemi called on Nigerians to reconsider the country’s political trajectory and explore alternatives capable of addressing the limitations of the existing party system.
He maintained that the Third Force should not be understood merely as a collection of smaller political parties seeking to displace the APC or PDP, but as a broader movement for democratic renewal, social justice and economic inclusion.
He argued that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on the emergence of political actors who regard public office as a responsibility to improve human welfare rather than an opportunity for personal accumulation.
According to him, the growing difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians make it increasingly necessary to move beyond conventional political loyalties and evaluate political platforms on the basis of their policies, integrity, accountability and commitment to social development.
Oyedemi expressed the view that Accord’s political opening in Oyo State, particularly under Oriyomi Hamzat’s emerging political leadership, presents an opportunity to explore this alternative direction.
He urged citizens and political stakeholders to approach the opportunity with a clear understanding of the demands of democratic leadership and the need to build institutions that can sustain social progress beyond individual personalities.
“Third Force,” in the central argument of his discourse, must therefore evolve from a label for parties outside the mainstream into a credible framework for human emancipation, democratic accountability and people-oriented governance.
Dr. Y. Y. Oyedemi Muslim is the Accord senatorial candidate for Oyo North and writes from Saki, Oyo State.
Dr. Y. Y. Oyedemi Muslim, the Accord senatorial candidate for Oyo North, has called for a fundamental reconsideration and reconceptualisation of the Third Force movement in Nigeria’s contemporary political landscape, arguing that the country’s worsening socio-economic challenges and the shortcomings of mainstream political parties make the emergence of a people-oriented political alternative increasingly imperative.
Oyedemi, who made the call in an analytical discourse titled “Third Force and the Nigerian Contemporary Politics: Time to Reconceptualise,” maintained that Nigeria’s political development requires a departure from conventional political calculations towards a more humanistic, inclusive and welfare-driven approach capable of addressing the needs of ordinary citizens.
He identified the Accord political platform in Oyo State, particularly under the humanitarian influence of Oriyomi Hamzat, as a potential vehicle for translating people-centred politics into tangible social transformation.
According to him, the time has come for Nigerians to rethink the meaning, relevance and possibilities of the Third Force movement rather than continue to operate within a political environment dominated by established parties and entrenched political interests.
Reconsidering the Meaning of Third Force
Tracing the intellectual origins of the expression, Oyedemi explained that the term Third Force was originally associated with humanistic psychology, particularly the work of American psychologist Abraham Maslow, who advanced an approach that placed human needs, personal growth and self-actualisation at the centre of understanding human behaviour.
He noted that humanistic psychology emerged as an alternative to psychoanalysis and behaviourism, with other prominent contributors, including Carl Rogers and Rollo May, advancing perspectives that emphasised human potential, personal agency and the capacity for development.
Although the transition of the expression from psychology to political discourse remains unclear, Oyedemi observed that it has come to describe political movements and parties operating outside the dominant political establishment.
Within Nigeria’s contemporary political configuration, he identified the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the principal mainstream political parties, alongside other political platforms whose relationships with the dominant political blocs often reflect shifting alliances and local political calculations.
He listed Accord, the Labour Party, the Youth Party and the Action Alliance among the parties that may be considered part of the broader Third Force conversation, depending on the political context.
However, Oyedemi argued that the concept should not be reduced to the mere existence of political parties outside the dominant establishment.
Rather, he maintained that a meaningful Third Force must be defined by its capacity to challenge entrenched political practices, promote democratic accountability and offer credible alternatives to the existing order.
Political Ideology and the Crisis of Party Identity
The Accord senatorial candidate further contended that political ideology has progressively lost its defining influence in Nigeria’s party system, with politicians frequently moving between political platforms without demonstrating consistent ideological commitments.
He argued that the movement of political actors across ideological and party boundaries has weakened the traditional distinctions between the political left, centre and right.
According to him, the Nigerian political environment is increasingly shaped by electoral calculations, personal ambitions, political expediency and the pursuit of power rather than clearly articulated ideological positions.
He maintained that the fluidity of party affiliations has made it difficult to distinguish political parties on the basis of coherent policy philosophies, insisting that the emergence of a genuine Third Force must therefore be accompanied by a renewed commitment to public service, social justice and the welfare of citizens.
For Oyedemi, the central question is no longer simply whether a political party belongs to the mainstream or the opposition, but whether its political philosophy and practical conduct offer a credible pathway to improving the lives of Nigerians.
Twenty-Seven Years of Civil Rule and the Burden of Unfulfilled Expectations
Assessing Nigeria’s democratic experience, Oyedemi expressed concern that nearly 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since the restoration of democratic government in 1999 have not produced the level of socio-economic advancement expected by the population.
While acknowledging investments in infrastructure and social services, he argued that persistent corruption, the high cost of governance, weaknesses in the rule of law and shortcomings in economic management have continued to undermine the benefits of democracy.
He maintained that the existence of major infrastructure projects and improvements in selected macroeconomic indicators should not be treated as sufficient evidence of successful governance when ordinary citizens continue to grapple with declining purchasing power, rising living costs and limited economic opportunities.
Oyedemi stressed that democratic performance must ultimately be assessed by its impact on citizens’ living conditions, access to essential services, employment prospects and overall economic security.
He also argued that Nigeria’s economic challenges cannot be resolved through headline economic indicators alone, noting that the stabilisation of the naira and the accumulation of foreign reserves, although important, must translate into measurable improvements in household welfare.
Tinubu’s Leadership and the Test of Democratic Accountability
Turning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Oyedemi acknowledged the President’s political determination and boldness while arguing that the administration must demonstrate not only the capacity to govern but also the ability to deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
He referenced Tinubu’s well-known political campaign expression, “Emi Lokan,” arguing that the political mandate must be justified through measurable achievements rather than political rhetoric and strategic manoeuvres.
According to him, leadership should be judged by its ability to confront structural challenges, strengthen public institutions, tackle corruption and ensure that economic reforms do not disproportionately burden vulnerable sections of the population.
Oyedemi warned that a political administration could be remembered for its bold declarations and tactical political decisions yet fall short of its historic responsibilities if those decisions failed to produce sustainable social and economic progress.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to pursue a governance agenda that combines economic stability with inclusive development, institutional accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Local Government Autonomy and the Rule of Law
Oyedemi also criticised what he described as the failure to fully realise the promise of local government autonomy following the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local government councils.
He argued that the implementation challenges surrounding the judgment exposed deeper concerns about constitutional compliance, the rule of law and the relationship between state governments and local government administrations.
In his assessment, local government autonomy should serve as an instrument for bringing democratic governance closer to the people, improving grassroots development and ensuring that public resources are deployed to address community-level needs.
He maintained that any arrangement that undermines the practical independence of local governments risks weakening grassroots democracy and frustrating the developmental objectives of the constitutional framework.
For Oyedemi, the effectiveness of democratic governance depends not only on judicial pronouncements but also on the willingness of political officeholders and institutions to respect and implement the law.
Lessons from Ondo and Oyo States
Drawing attention to previous political developments in the South-West, Oyedemi cited the emergence of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State and the political experience of Senator Rashidi Ladoja in Oyo State as examples of how alternative political platforms can challenge established political structures.
He argued that Mimiko’s political trajectory demonstrated the potential of an alternative political movement to mobilise popular support against entrenched political interests and provide a platform for political change.
He also referenced Ladoja’s experience with the Accord Party, noting that although the former Oyo State governor did not secure the governorship through that platform in the particular contest under discussion, the party demonstrated an ability to attract electoral support and secure other elective positions.
Oyedemi said these experiences offer important lessons for contemporary political actors seeking to establish a credible alternative to dominant political parties.
He stressed, however, that the success of a Third Force movement depends on more than its ability to attract prominent politicians or challenge established parties during elections.
Such a movement, he argued, must possess a clear social purpose, a credible leadership structure, a practical policy agenda and a sustained connection with the electorate.
Human-Centred Politics as an Alternative to Political Commercialisation
A major concern raised by Oyedemi was what he described as the growing commercialisation of Nigerian politics, in which political participation is increasingly approached as an investment for private gain rather than a responsibility to serve the public.
He argued that the dominance of transactional political calculations has undermined the emergence of genuinely populist and welfare-oriented governance.
According to him, a political system driven primarily by personal enrichment and the acquisition of power is unlikely to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged communities or pursue policies capable of reducing social inequality.
Oyedemi maintained that the Third Force should therefore be reconceptualised as a human-centred political movement that places citizens’ welfare, dignity, freedom and opportunities for self-development at the heart of governance.
He invoked the principle that silence in the face of tyranny amounts to a surrender of civic responsibility, drawing on the broader democratic tradition of resistance to oppression and political subjugation.
He argued that Nigerians must move beyond political complacency and embrace alternatives that can challenge practices that weaken democratic institutions and limit citizens’ participation in governance.
Poverty and the Urgency of Political Reorientation
Oyedemi further situated Nigeria’s political challenges within the wider socio-economic realities of sub-Saharan Africa, a region that continues to face a substantial burden of extreme poverty despite its human and natural resources.
He argued that the persistence of widespread deprivation should compel African political leaders and citizens to question political arrangements that have failed to deliver inclusive prosperity.
For him, the contradiction between abundant resources and persistent hardship underscores the need for political innovation, stronger accountability mechanisms and a renewed commitment to people-oriented development.
He maintained that Nigeria cannot afford to continue treating political party affiliation as an end in itself while millions of citizens remain concerned about access to education, healthcare, decent housing, employment and other basic necessities.
Oyedemi called for a political culture that measures success by the extent to which public institutions improve living standards and expand opportunities for ordinary people.
Oriyomi Hamzat and the Accord Opportunity in Oyo State
Against this background, Oyedemi identified the emergence of Oriyomi Hamzat within the Accord political platform in Oyo State as an opportunity to advance a more humanitarian approach to politics.
He described Hamzat as a public figure whose reputation for charitable interventions and service to humanity predates his direct participation in electoral politics.
According to Oyedemi, Hamzat’s involvement in education, healthcare, family welfare and human-rights-related interventions provides a foundation upon which a broader people-centred political agenda could be developed.
He argued that Hamzat’s experience in the mass media and his understanding of the power of communication could also contribute to mobilising citizens, raising awareness of social challenges and encouraging greater participation in public affairs.
Oyedemi noted that Hamzat had previously supported individuals whom he believed could provide relief to ordinary citizens through political office, although, in his assessment, some of those political choices had failed to deliver the expected outcomes.
He presented Hamzat’s decision to take a more direct role in politics as an opportunity to translate humanitarian commitments into a more structured political programme.
However, he maintained that the ultimate value of such an initiative would depend on its ability to transform personal goodwill into effective institutions, transparent decision-making and sustainable public policies.
From Humanitarian Reputation to Sustainable Political Transformation
Oyedemi argued that humanitarian service can provide a useful foundation for political leadership, but that goodwill alone cannot substitute for the structures required to govern effectively.
He suggested that a credible Third Force platform must institutionalise its welfare commitments through clear programmes, measurable targets, transparent resource management and mechanisms that allow citizens to hold political leaders accountable.
Such an approach, he maintained, would distinguish a genuine people-centred political movement from conventional electoral mobilisation driven by personalities and short-term political interests.
He urged supporters of the Accord platform in Oyo State to embrace what he described as its political mantra by translating the promise of humanitarian service into practical commitments on education, healthcare, poverty reduction, human rights and community development.
For the movement to achieve lasting change, he argued, its leaders must demonstrate that the values associated with humanitarian interventions can be sustained through public institutions and policy decisions.
A Call for a New Political Direction
Concluding his argument, Oyedemi called on Nigerians to reconsider the country’s political trajectory and explore alternatives capable of addressing the limitations of the existing party system.
He maintained that the Third Force should not be understood merely as a collection of smaller political parties seeking to displace the APC or PDP, but as a broader movement for democratic renewal, social justice and economic inclusion.
He argued that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on the emergence of political actors who regard public office as a responsibility to improve human welfare rather than an opportunity for personal accumulation.
According to him, the growing difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians make it increasingly necessary to move beyond conventional political loyalties and evaluate political platforms on the basis of their policies, integrity, accountability and commitment to social development.
Oyedemi expressed the view that Accord’s political opening in Oyo State, particularly under Oriyomi Hamzat’s emerging political leadership, presents an opportunity to explore this alternative direction.
He urged citizens and political stakeholders to approach the opportunity with a clear understanding of the demands of democratic leadership and the need to build institutions that can sustain social progress beyond individual personalities.
