March 31, 2025
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has issued a passionate plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy as political crises escalate in Rivers, Kano, and other states. Momodu’s appeal, published in his Saturday Tribune column, comes amid growing concerns over alleged federal interference in state affairs, including the controversial emergency rule in Rivers and the emirship tussle in Kano .
Momodu’s Warning
Momodu, a former presidential aspirant, accused Tinubu’s allies of undermining democratic norms by orchestrating the impeachment of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and manipulating Kano’s traditional leadership dispute. He likened the tactics to the infamous 1983 power grab that toppled the Second Republic, warning: "History is repeating itself. We fought for this democracy; don’t let it die on your watch".
Rivers Crisis as Flashpoint
The publisher singled out the Rivers crisis, where 27 pro-Wike lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara after defecting from the PDP to the APC, a move courts have deemed illegal. Momodu questioned Tinubu’s neutrality, noting the president’s close ties to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Fubara’s rival. "Must every state be controlled by Lagos?" he asked, referencing Tinubu’s perceived dominance over APC governors .
Kano’s Emirate Controversy
Momodu also criticized federal meddling in Kano’s emirship dispute, where the state government’s dethronement of Aminu Ado Bayero sparked tensions. He accused the APC of exploiting ethnic and religious divisions, recalling how similar crises in the First Republic precipitated Nigeria’s civil war.
Call for Restraint
Appealing to Tinubu’s legacy as a pro-democracy activist, Momodu urged: "You suffered under dictators. Don’t become one." He proposed a national dialogue to address grievances, warning that coercive tactics risked triggering unrest akin to the Niger Delta militancy or Yoruba secessionist agitations.
Broader Democratic Erosion
The column aligns with mounting criticism from opposition figures like Peter Obi and Bishop Kukah, who recently declared Nigeria’s democracy "non-functional". Analysts note Tinubu faces a defining choice: rein in overzealous allies or risk cementing his administration’s authoritarian reputation ahead of 2027 .
Key Context:
- Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers mirrors Obasanjo’s 2006 Ekiti takeover, which courts later nullified .
- 12 states have pending lawsuits against federal overreach, per the HURIWA rights group .
- The UK and EU have issued rare diplomatic notes expressing concern over Nigeria’s democratic backsliding .
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Sources: The Guardian , Punch, Premium Times
