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Concerns About Democracy Collapsing in Nigeria. What’s Next?

They started in 199, and laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to the decking while others were trying to raise it to the first floor. And then, some people came and knocked everything down. That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down.

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” Democracy will work if the actors play by the rules. It’s work in progress. Under OBJ (Obasanjo), state of emergency was declared. The NASS worked together to ensure that 2/3 majority passed the emergency. Each member had to vote. “In this same NASS we have the same constitution. What happened in the last one? We need to chase out the bad operators in democracy.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, including  the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate,  Peter Obi,  have strongly voiced out that Democracy is collapsing in Nigeria.

Nigeria became a demoratic country in 199, with Obasanjo as its first democratically elected president.

But 26 years down the journey, several eminent Nigerians, former governors and past public office holders are now  expressing fears over the falling standards of democracy in Nigeria.

They voiced their fears during a colloquium held at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel to mark the 60th birthday celebration of former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, which was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Also in attendance were former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and the immediate past Governor of Katsina, Aminu Masari.

In his keynote address titled ‘Is Democracy Failing in Africa?’ Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, lamented that it seemed like Nigeria’s democracy only worked for a few selected persons.

Kukah said: “We as Africans inherited a system that is not ours, but we can’t say it is not relevant to us. There are differences between democracy in Asia and that of Africa. I feel sorry for the judges. At the last election, even small me, I had people calling me, complaining, talk to this, talk to that.

“There was pressure on judges to deliver justice. I agree that there’s an urgent need to clean up the mess. Democracy is about everything, and it’s about justice. Democracy and its principles are endless contestations.

There are certain things God has given us which people can’t control.”Kukah urged politicians to borrow a leaf from the cat-and-mouse relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku, which he said also helped to deepen democracy. “The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku is like a Catholic marriage. You will quarrel without breaking up… “Democracy is a work in progress.”

On his part, Obasanjo said that what Africa was practising today’s a mere reflection of ‘representative democracy.’ .

Abraham Lincoln describes it as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. But what do we have today? The Greek democracy affects everyone. Democracy has now become representative democracy and it hasn’t taken care of everyone.

“Democracy in Africa has failed because it’s not African, it didn’t have our culture and way of lives. You will say, ‘go to court’ when you know that you can’t get justice.Democracy is dying in Africa and to save it, it should be made in the context of Africa,” Obasanjo said.

Peter Obi asserted that many progressive-minded leaders from 1999 have been striving to raise the bar of the country’s democracy to an enviable height

Peter Obi, submitted: “They started democracy in 199, and laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to the decking while others were trying to raise it to the first floor. And then, some people came and knocked everything down. That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down.

Nothing works. I am somebody who can say this exemplarily. I became a governor through the court when President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar were in government.I did not pay the court one naira.

I was sitting in my office and the court declared me the winner when the governor was hosting them.

It can’t happen in Nigeria today… So, democracy has failed. Let’s talk about how to rebuild it because it is collapsing.”

at the event, Atiku reflected on the price many leaders paid for the realisation of democratic rule. “In my case, I ran into exile because Abacha was very hostile,” he said.

The former Vice President, however, praised Ihedioha for remaining loyal despite belonging to different political platforms. “

Emeka and I have kept this relationship and till today I have found him extremely loyal, dedicated and focused even though sometimes we found ourselves on different political divides but we kept our relationship and I think that testifies with the kind of person Emeka is,” he said.

The former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal believes Nigerians can make democracy thrive as long as everybody is willing to play their roles.

Tambuwal, who condemned the recent state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, criticised the National Assembly for the unconstitutional manner it approved it.

He said, “Democracy will work if the actors play by the rules. It’s work in progress. Under OBJ (Obasanjo), state of emergency was declared. The NASS worked together to ensure that 2/3 majority passed the emergency. Each member had to vote. “In this same NASS we have same constitution. What happened in the last one? We need to chase out the bad operators in democracy.”

The former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, however, said it was high time Nigeria reviewed the 1999 Constitution to address the plethora of problems plaguing its structure. According to him, the country cannot afford to lose its enviable status in the international community.

“As Commonwealth Secretary-General, I helped members to transit to multi-party democracy. We need a new constitution to address many challenges.

True federalism is the answer to the management of national issues. The recent coups in Mali and Niger tend to take us back. “The nature of our politics and the conduct of our politicians is another problem of our democracy. They have become instruments of capturing political power.

It’s only true, stable democratic governance that can rid our country of the crises which impede development. “I believe that Nigeria can change this Eurocentric narrative. We in Africa and Nigeria have a responsibility to get a stable democracy and change the Eurocentric narrative,” he stated.

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Kogi West FGYB Legacy Group Endorses Tinubu, Ododo for Second Term, Praises Achievements

The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, citing his bold economic reforms, efforts towards energy stability, and massive infrastructural development across the nation.

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By Stephen Adeleye

Kabba (Kogi) –The Kogi West FGYB Legacy Group, comprising stakeholders from the seven Local Government Areas of Kogi West Senatorial District, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term in office.

The endorsement was made in a Communique at the end of a strategic meeting held in Kabba, Kogi State, on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The communique was jointly signed and read by its Drafting Committee Chairman, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo; Secretary, Barr. Tanko Mohammed; and Member, Hon. Shaibu Ipinmisho on behalf of the group.

The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, citing his bold economic reforms, efforts towards energy stability, and massive infrastructural development across the nation.

They pledged over 90 percent of the votes from Kogi West Senatorial District in future elections, in recognition of his people-oriented leadership.

The meeting commended Governor Ododo for his impactful leadership and remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, and humanitarian development.

The stakeholders particularly lauded the Governor’s strategic approach to tackling security challenges across the State, especially in Kogi West, and for fostering peace and stability in all communities.

The meeting applauded the Governor for his ongoing and completed projects across the Kogi West Senatorial District.

These include massive projects at Kogi State University, Kabba, the Model Secondary School, Okebukun, and the Township Road reconstruction projects in Mopa and Ayetoro Gbede.

The stakeholders also commended the take-off of projects at the U.K-funded College of Education (Technical), Mopa.

The stakeholders expressed deep appreciation for the Governor’s personal visit to troubled areas and his efforts in ensuring security in the Senatorial District.

They pledged over 90 percent of the votes from Kogi West Senatorial District in future elections, in recognition of his people-oriented leadership.

The group called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and citizens to support government efforts towards restoring and sustaining peace across Kogi State.

They reaffirmed their unwavering support for the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo, pledging to mobilize citizens in support of government policies.

The meeting commended security agencies for supporting Governor in ensuring security in District. Local hunters also commended for complementing security agencies in Kogi West.

The stakeholders resolved that leaders of every LGA in Kogi West should mobilize people to participate in Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), and commended the stakeholders’ turnout.

Earlier, during the meeting, the APC Chairman, Kogi State, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, said party is for progressive people with loyal leaders.

He commended former Governor Yayaya Bello raising people at the grassroots and laid a solid foundation for the incumbent Gov Ahmed Ododo to build on.

He emphasised that APC stakeholders meeting would strengthen the party in the state and the country at large.Bello urged members to be focused and united, and beware of inexperienced and self-centered politicians.

The APC Chairman commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians urged party members sustain support for Tinubu and Gov. Ododo.

The meeting was attended by all Commissioners, LG Chairmen, Assembly members, Federal Lawmakers and all former and present political appointees from Kogi West, as well as former Sen. Smart Adeyemi.

Other Signatories for each of the seven LGAs are: Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly – Lokoja LGA; Cdr Jerry Omodara rtd, State Security Adviser – Kabba/Bunu; and Dr. Mrs Folashade Ayoade – Secretary to the State Government – Yagba East.

Others include: Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mopamuro LGA; Engr. Bashir Gegu, Commissioner for Solid Minerals – Kogi LGA; Engr. Olusegun Joseph, Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management – Yagba West; Dr Helen Adeniyi, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology – Ijumu LGA.End

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Over 1,000 lawyers sign disqualification petition against Amupitan

“Having previously served as Lead Counsel to the APC, Prof. Amupitan cannot credibly discharge the duties of an INEC Chairman, who must remain impartial in elections involving the APC and other parties,” the association stated.

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A coalition of more than 1,000 lawyers under the umbrella of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The lawyers, in a letter dated October 10, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), alleged that Prof. Amupitan is unfit for the position due to his previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.

ALDRAP argued that such political affiliation and professional engagement present a “clear case of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of statutory codes of conduct.

The association’s administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, who signed the letter, maintained that the Senate should not proceed with any confirmation hearing for Prof. Amupitan but should instead respond to the President’s letter of nomination by stating that the nominee “does not meet the constitutional and ethical qualifications for the office.

“The Senate must act in line with precedent, as seen in 2021 when it rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie over her affiliation with the APC. Prof. Amupitan’s case falls squarely within that standard of disqualification,” the letter stated.

Citing Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1991, ALDRAP maintained that Prof. Amupitan’s appointment would place him in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.

The group further referenced Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, 2003, which prohibits the use of prior official or professional positions to gain undue advantage.

“Having previously served as Lead Counsel to the APC, Prof. Amupitan cannot credibly discharge the duties of an INEC Chairman, who must remain impartial in elections involving the APC and other parties,” the association stated.

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Senate swears in two new lawmakers

Based on this, APC now has a majority seat of 73 senators, while PDP has 28 senators, LP is reduced to 4 , SDP 1, APGA 2 and NNPP 1.

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SENATE on Wednesday, sworn- in two newly elected lawmakers.

They are Joseph Ikpea representing Edo Central, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu, representing Anambra South senatorial district.

Ohibaba.com reports that the swearing-in, which took place during plenary, was presided over by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administered the oaths of office and allegiance.

The development followed the recent by-elections conducted to fill two vacant seats.

One of the seats was previously occupied by Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State, and the other by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in July 2024.

Based on this, APC now has a majority seat of 73 senators, while PDP has 28 senators, LP is reduced to 4 , SDP 1, APGA 2 and NNPP 1.

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