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•Urges president to distance himself from sycophants, protect opposition voices
By Chinelo Obogo
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has issued a warning to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that Nigeria’s democracy, unity, and political stability are under serious threat and urging the president to urgently reverse what he described as a dangerous trajectory.
In an open letter addressed to the president, George said his concerns stemmed not from partisan anger but from “sincere patriotism, responsibility, and an abiding faith in Almighty God.”
He said that Nigeria is drifting dangerously with the increasing suppression of opposition voices, the drive toward political dominance without restraint, and the erosion of democratic balance” as signs of a system “heading towards potential rupture.”
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He warned that a country governed without credible dissent is not stable, but volatile and urged the president to learn from history, warning against the mistake of leaders who “mistook control for strength” and “surrounded themselves with applause” until reality overtook them. He said that advisers encouraging aggressive political consolidation are “not safeguarding the president’s leadership but are endangering it.”
George linked Nigeria’s economy to the political situation, noting that a nation under economic strain cannot afford political provocation. The elder statesman also spoke on the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process “must remain sacrosanct” and that there must be “no manipulation whatsoever” of future elections. He said the will of the Nigerian people must be respected and allowed to prevail freely, transparently, and without interference.
George called on Tinubu to strengthen democratic institutions, restore national confidence, and protect rather than shrink the democratic space especially as the country awaits critical rulings from the Supreme Court.
