Dele Momodu warns that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat, accusing leaders of authoritarianism and PDP chieftain Nyesom Wike of staging a political coup

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s democracy in danger as political commentator and two-time presidential aspirant Dele Momodu has warned of a disturbing shift towards civilian dictatorship.

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In a scathing interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain declared that the country is sliding back into authoritarianism.

“I’m very happy that today coincides with the lead-up to June 12 (Democracy Day), so that if we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy,” Momodu said.

“On the eve of June 12, Nigeria is virtually back to civilian dictators who don’t care how you feel or what you think. Nigerians are hungry.”

Momodu accused both elected officials and institutional leaders of betraying democratic ideals and being “bold and shameless” in their disregard for citizens.

He lamented that the sacrifices made during the June 12 democratic struggle appear wasted.

“All those who suffered for this democracy, especially those who are now in heaven if they can see us, they would be crying,” he added.

Momodu also turned his criticism inward, accusing his own party, the PDP, of being hijacked. He squarely blamed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the ongoing internal crisis, calling his influence a “coup” against the party.

“It sounds ridiculous that one man, who should be busy in Abuja, is dictating where the PDP presidential ticket should go in 2027,” he said.

“What he’s doing now is tantamount to staging a coup against the party that made him everything he is today.”

He claimed Wike’s political manoeuvrings were behind the crisis that led to a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“A major crisis of monumental dimension was orchestrated and aggravated by one man. Just because he wouldn’t go away quietly, a state of emergency had to be declared. It’s unprecedented in Nigeria’s history,” Momodu stated.

Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s remarks during the recent reopening of the Abuja International Conference Centre, Momodu expressed disappointment at the President’s choice of words.

“I listened to the President refer to concerned Nigerians as ‘busybodies’ and ‘bystanders.’ Who is a bystander in his own country?” he asked, suggesting the statement reflected a broader trend of political detachment from the people.

Despite internal party conflicts, Momodu reiterated that he would never join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “If I wanted to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking to you like this.

But my soul is out of PDP I cannot sit in a room where one man dictates to adults who have served Nigeria all their lives.”

In closing, he issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s political future.

Also read: Presidential election savagely manipulated, Dele Momodu declares

“We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair,” he said. “People like Wike, doing what they do with impunity, are taking us dangerously backwards.”