Things are getting intense in Rivers State, where a retired vice admiral has taken over as the sole administrator. This situation raises some serious alarms about Nigeria’s democracy. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is getting harder to tell the difference between civilian leadership and authoritarian rule. We are seeing a weird mix, almost like a joint control system, where civilian institutions are awkwardly coexisting with military-style influences.
“For a country already struggling with economic issues, insecurity, and fading public trust, slipping back into authoritarianism would be incredibly destabilising.”
Just recently, the attorney general made it clear that the president is not shy about taking this approach to other parts of the country. This is not just a legal stance; it is a political play for tighter control. The consequences are quite concerning. Elected governors could be swiftly replaced with appointees who owe their positions solely to the president. If that becomes the norm, we might see the illusion of democracy fade into straight-up rule by decree, with the National Assembly basically just giving a thumbs-up.
Nigeria’s democratic structures have always been a bit shaky, but this moment feels like a real turning point. Since he took office, Tinubu has been moving quickly and showing impatience with institutions — suddenly cancelling subsidy programmes, changing national symbols, and now, breaking down elected state bodies with barely any input from others. Individually, these actions might not scream authoritarianism, but together, they show a troubling disregard for the checks and balances that are supposed to support democracy.
Read also: State of Emergency: Tinubu’s autocracy puts Nigeria’s democracy in danger
It is ironic if you think about it. President Tinubu, who used to criticise military rule, is mimicking some of its tactics now. It brings back memories of when Nigeria had that civilian-military hybrid under General Ibrahim Babangida, which was notorious for undermining electoral trust and credibility. Sure, the methods may be different now, but the vibe is similar: centralising power, stifling dissent, and limiting local control.
The move to appoint Sole Administrators, a tactic once used by President Obasanjo in the early 2000s, was called unconstitutional by major legal experts. Reviving such a discredited approach in 2025 really raises serious questions about the future of Nigeria’s democratic journey. Even when things are super unstable, we should never just accept the erosion of elected mandates as normal.
Let’s not forget, President Tinubu was elected with just over a third of the popular vote — more of a plurality than a solid majority. You would think that would encourage a bit of humility and a push for more comprehensive governance. Instead, what we are seeing is a tightening grip on power, often sidelining dialogue, legal clarity, and independent institutions.
The bigger concern is not just that Nigeria is sliding into illiberalism; it is that people might start accepting it as the new normal. The slow drift toward undemocratic practices, whether in the name of stability or reform, could erase years of hard-fought progress. For a country already struggling with economic issues, insecurity, and fading public trust, slipping back into authoritarianism would be incredibly destabilising.
Read also: Reps approve emergency rule in Rivers State with ammendments
Nigeria’s leaders must awaken to a fundamental truth: lasting strength is not forged through executive decrees but nurtured by the unwavering will of its people. If President Tinubu aspires to a legacy that transcends mere power accumulation, he must embark on a transformative course, one that prioritises dialogue over directives.
Democracy, after all, is not a periodic ritual of casting ballots; it is a vibrant, living culture built upon the pillars of restraint, accountability, and the unwavering adherence to lawful governance. This is not a distant ideal, but a standard Nigeria must actively cultivate, defend, and embody.
Let the current crisis serve as a catalyst for national introspection, a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the principles that bind us as a nation, and a call to build a future where the voice of the people resonates above all else. For only then can Nigeria truly thrive as a beacon of democratic resilience.
