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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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Politics

Obi Dumps ADC, Here’s Why

Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President.

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Peter Gregory Obi, shares on his X, this afternoon: ” Fellow Nigerians, good morning.

I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you.

Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances.

We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal.

More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism.

We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power.

Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise.

Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me.

I will continue to respect them.However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the

Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.

Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me.

Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home.

You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated.

And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned.

Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions.

There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country?

Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess?

Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline?

Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President.

I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work.

I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes.

I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from.Yet, despite everything,

I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.

A new Nigeria is POssible.

-PO

May 3, 2026·

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Politics

Obi, Kwankwaso dumping ADC for Seriake Dickson ‘s NDC — Galadima

The planned move follows weeks of speculation over the next political destination of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly in the wake of recent Supreme Court developments affecting opposition parties and internal party structures.

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“All is now set. Both Obi and Kwankwaso will announce their defection from the ADC on Monday.”

The planned move follows weeks of speculation over the next political destination of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly in the wake of recent Supreme Court developments affecting opposition parties and internal party structures.

The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima, made the declaration Saturday in Abuja, during the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement Summit, where supporters and political stakeholders gathered to discuss opposition unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Galadima emphasised that key opposition figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, would announce a new political platform on Monday.

Although he did not name the platform, sources close to the former governors hinted that both leaders were concluding arrangements to join a newly floated political party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, reportedly linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

According to Galadima, both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on ground on Friday and this morning (Saturday) and signed the relevant documents with Senator Dickson and the NDC leaders.

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in the ADC to occur again”, said Galadima, warning supporters to brace up for what he described as coordinated attacks and disruptions that could trail the announcement.

He said, “As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, I want to tell you that one of two things will happen. And I’m here to guide you on your response to what will happen.“

First, they will sponsor columnists. Two, they will deploy social media influencers to start attacking our candidates. For all of you who are on social media and those you with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say.“

Anything under the sun that they may say about our leaders that we know very well, people of integrity and honour, we must come to them with the ferociousness that is needed of an intelligent man.”

Also speaking at the event, Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, expressed support for the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a viable alternative.

“I am not a politician and don’t need to join your political party. But let me say that O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) is okay for me. And I am ready to lead.“

In the last election in Lagos, I was the returning officer in Ibeju-Lekki. They came with so many things. But at the end of the day, the votes were so much that they couldn’t change the results.

“This time, I can tell you that we have already won in 28 out of 36 states. These 28 are already O-K. They are ready to vote. So it is up to them to say this time, you can’t steal our votes. And we have to be ready for that because it is easy to vote.”

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, John Ughulu, expressed optimism about the movement’s growing reach, saying Nigerians are poised to take over governance in 2027.

He said: “The movement has already spread like wildfire across the 36 states of the federation.”

Activist Aisha Yesufu, who also addressed the gathering, called for unity across ethnic and regional lines, urging Nigerians to prioritise national cohesion over division.

She said, “It is time for us to become a nation that is working. The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba person, tell them indeed, we are all Nigerians.“

“We must unite right now. When they tell you about the generational hatred, ask them, where did it lead you to? Where has it also led Nigeria? We are brothers and sisters. We must not forget that.”

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Politics

Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Defects from PDP, Joins APM

He explained that the defection was driven by the need to reposition politically ahead of the fast-approaching 2027 elections, emphasizing the importance of providing a credible platform for his supporters.

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Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Saturday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside loyalists aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party.

The governor announced his decision at the Government House in Bauchi during a well-attended event, where he was flanked by the APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, senior government officials, and party stakeholders.

” After extensive consultation, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement,” the governor declared.

He explained that the defection was driven by the need to reposition politically ahead of the fast-approaching 2027 elections, emphasizing the importance of providing a credible platform for his supporters.

“This is guided by one overriding objective: to secure victory in both states and continue to serve our people with utmost integrity, effectively mobilise our supporters and present a coherent and credible alternative to the people,” he said.

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