Obasanjo, Obi, Tambuwal, Kukah Decry Faltering Democracy in Nigeria and Africa Amid Rivers Crisis
Colloquium Highlights Democratic Challenges
ABUJA—Nigeria’s democratic foundations face existential threats according to prominent statesmen who gathered Monday at a high-profile colloquium marking former Imo Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s 60th birthday. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo launched a blistering critique of Africa’s democratic experiment, declaring current systems “foreign implants failing to address continental realities” during the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel summit attended by political heavyweights.
Rivers State Emergency Rule
The event coincided with escalating tensions in Rivers State where President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule last week, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature. This controversial move—the first federal takeover of a state government since 2013—has intensified debates about constitutional adherence and power dynamics in Africa’s most populous nation.
Obasanjo’s Stark Assessment
Obasanjo’s stark assessment resonated through the conference hall: “What we practice today isn’t true democracy but government by a privileged few.” The former military ruler turned democratic advocate argued that Africa needs political systems reflecting its communal traditions rather than Western templates. His comments came hours after the Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy issued a 90-day ultimatum to reverse the Rivers emergency declaration, warning of “irreparable democratic damage.”
The Rivers crisis exemplifies the democratic backsliding critics decry. President Tinubu invoked emergency powers on March 18 after 14 months of legislative-executive deadlock, citing constitutional breaches and pipeline vandalism. However, the swift fund release to emergency administrator Ibokette Ibas—while previous allocations to elected officials were blocked—has raised eyebrows. Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku stressed the need for constitutional reform: “True federalism remains our only path to stability.”
Kukah’s Indictment of Justice System
Sokoto Bishop Matthew Kukah delivered a scathing indictment of Nigeria’s justice system, revealing shocking political pressures on judges during elections. “How can democracy survive when courts become battlegrounds for vested interests?” he asked, drawing applause from attendees including former president Obasanjo, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. The cleric’s remarks followed Supreme Court revelations that Governor Fubara illegally demolished the Rivers Assembly complex in December 2023, creating a constitutional vacuum.
Youth Protests and Political Tensions
Youth leaders from Rivers State staged parallel protests in Port Harcourt, demanding immediate reinstatement of elected officials. “The emergency declaration pretext has collapsed—the Assembly complex is 80% rebuilt with no security crisis,” argued Saviour Oscar of the South-South Youth Initiative during a fiery press conference. Their demands echo growing national concerns about executive overreach, particularly after the National Assembly’s swift emergency rule endorsement despite lacking two-thirds majority support.
Obi’s Perspective on Democratic Progress
Peter Obi offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging democratic progress since 1999 while warning of recent regression. The Labour Party leader contrasted Nigeria’s situation with Ghana and Senegal’s democratic gains, urging politicians to prioritize institution-building over personal ambitions. His comments came as civil society groups revealed disturbing trends—22,000 missing persons in Boko Haram-ravaged northeast, rising cybercrime vulnerabilities, and militant threats in oil-producing regions.
International Observers and Economic Impact
International observers watch nervously as Africa’s largest economy grapples with these challenges. The emergency rule controversy coincides with renewed militant attacks on oil infrastructure, threatening Nigeria’s 1.5 million barrel/day production capacity. President Tinubu has ordered security agencies to protect pipelines, but critics argue the crisis stems from political failures rather than security lapses alone.
As the democracy debate intensifies, all eyes remain on Rivers State where retired Admiral Ibas now controls the state’s N400 billion monthly oil revenues. The coming weeks will test Nigeria’s institutional resilience and determine whether emergency rule becomes a democratic circuit-breaker or authoritarian precedent.
“Democracy is dying when leaders weaponize institutions against citizens,” Obasanjo warned in his closing remarks. “We must either Africanize our governance systems or watch the current experiment collapse completely.”
The Abuja summit concluded with urgent calls for national dialogue and constitutional review. However, with the 2027 elections approaching and political tensions rising, Nigeria’s democratic future hangs in precarious balance—its challenges mirroring broader African governance crises from Sahel coup belts to Central African kleptocracies.