By Ayo Ayodele
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has warned that Nigeria is standing at a “critical junction” in its democratic journey, citing rising intolerance for dissent, economic hardship, electoral credibility concerns, and lessons from international examples such as Venezuela.
In a statement released on Monday, Bode George condemned what he described as the harassment of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, warning that intimidation of elected state leaders for holding opposing views poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s federal system.
According to him, targeting governors over political differences goes beyond routine political rivalry and amounts to an assault on democratic pluralism. He cautioned that such actions could signal a drift toward a one-party state, stressing that democracy can only survive where diverse opinions are freely expressed.
George also criticised the controversy surrounding reported massive contributions toward a private library for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing it as insensitive given the prevailing economic hardship across the country. He argued that with millions of Nigerians struggling to survive, public and private resources should be channelled toward alleviating poverty rather than funding elite projects.
Turning to electoral matters, the former PDP chieftain urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold fairness and transparency, insisting that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the integrity of its elections. He called for an end to what he described as “miracle results” and recurring technical glitches, emphasising that electoral outcomes must reflect the will of the voters.
On economic policy, George criticised current tax laws and policies under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that excessive taxation is stifling businesses and worsening the suffering of ordinary citizens. While acknowledging the need for government revenue, he warned that taxation must not undermine citizens’ right to survival or be used to weaken opposition parties.
He further cautioned against shrinking political space, stating that a democracy without a viable opposition risks sliding into authoritarianism.
Drawing lessons from Venezuela, George warned that resource-rich nations are not immune to collapse if leadership prioritises power over the welfare of the people. He cited hyper-taxation, suppression of opposition, and weakened democratic institutions as factors that contributed to Venezuela’s crisis.
He called on Nigerian leaders to choose a different path by protecting democratic institutions, easing the economic burden on citizens, and ensuring credible elections, insisting that the future and soul of the nation depend on these choices.