“You want to be the only presidential candidate in 2027, in a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic country like Nigeria in the 21st Century. How is that possible? We must encourage a multi-party democracy. That is the spinal cord of participatory democracy.’’

That’s Chief Olabode George, an elder statesman and the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while reflecting on the current happenings in the country ‘s government and politics space.

Chief George, who stated this in a statement issued by him on Thursday, said that actions and utterances coming from APC and INEC in recent weeks showed that they don’t want any other presidential candidate to emerge in 2027 aside from President Bola Tinubu of the APC

“They are ready to destroy all democratic fundamentals, tenets and ethos to have their way, ” said Chief George , urging all leaders and elders, regardless of party affiliations, to rise and condemn what is happening, emphasising, “You don’t appease evil. You deal with evil.”

The elder statesman said that the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was a pitiable sight when he appeared on a television programme to defend the actions of the Electoral umpire in using technicalities to sack Excos of political parties.

“Enough is enough. This nation must not sink. At 80 years, what am I looking for? I was in Form 4 in secondary school when the Western Region crisis started in 1962. I don’t think some of those causing a crisis in the polity today were born then. Military or civilian, I have seen it all. We must not allow this country to go down,” he said.

We are firing the warning shot now. Nigeria is too big to be manipulated by a greedy and selfish few

Chief George said that he chose to sound a note of warning because Nigeria is too big to be manipulated.

“We are firing the warning shot now. Nigeria is too big to be manipulated by a greedy and selfish few. Look at insecurity. This country is gradually collapsing. I don’t want to hear anything like external factors or elements.

Those killing and kidnapping Nigerians all over the place are in this country. Instead of the president, as the Commander-in-Chief, to deal with these bloodthirsty maniacs, he is busy using INEC to destroy opposition parties.”

He appealed to Nigerians not to allow such a thing to happen, saying, “It is unfortunate that the electoral body has become an undertaker, mandated by the ruling party to destroy this democracy.

“Unfortunately, our judiciary is also drifting. I remember the glorious years of Justices Elias, Kayode Eso, Oputa, Belgore, Uwais, and others. Today, the rot in the judiciary is appalling.

“Any evil is a reflection of injustice. There is evil in the country today. Clearly, injustice can never overcome justice. When you deliver good judgments, justice is done. When you use technicalities to deliver wrong judgments, it is injustice,” he said.

Abdussamad Dasuki, a House of Representative ‘s member representing Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, has observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, under the leadership of Prof Joash Amupitan, is becoming an existential threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

Dasuki stated this on Wednesday when he picked up his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at his Dogon Daji/Salah Ward, Tambuwal LGA of Sokoto, alleging that the commission was colluding with those plotting to stifle opposition party and turn Nigeria into one-party state.

The event witnessed a massive turnout of supporters, including hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties who formally defected to the ADC.

Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Rep Dasuki warned that recent developments in the country’s political landscape point to a coordinated effort to weaken opposition voices and undermine democratic principles.

Rep Dasuki specifically cited the decision of INEC not to recognize the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a critical step in what he believes is a broader scheme to stifle opposition and dismantle democratic plurality.

Photo: #Occupy INEC Protest

Coalition of opposition political leaders and supporters on Wednesday rejected ‘one-party’ system of government for the country ahead of the 2027 general election, and appealing to the INEC , ” Don’t Kill Nigeria’s Democracy.”

Following military rules for 34 years (1965-1999), Nigeria has been practicing democracy, ” government “of the people, by the people, for the people“, for 27 years (1999-2026) with former President Olusegun Obasanjo the first democratically elected president.

Said Peter Obi on the sidelines of the rally: We are simply holding a peaceful demonstration to say that we cannot have a one-party system in our country.

“Nigeria is a democratic nation. We are appealing to those in government: do not destroy our democracy. We need it for our children and for generations to come. Nigerians must have the freedom to choose who leads them. This is critical for our country,” said Peter Obi

Buttressing, the former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis, describing the electoral body as partisan and lacking neutrality.

“Today, I joined fellow coalition leaders and committed democrats to strongly condemn the blatant partisanship and compromised neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.

The protest was led by prominent opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi.Participants gathered at INEC headquarters to demand electoral accountability following the commission’s decision to derecognise the faction of the ADC led by David Mark.