Olabode George, who used to be the deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asked President Bola Tinubu to stop Nigeria from moving toward a possible split.
In an open letter on Friday, he warned that what is happening in the country’s political space right now is very worrying.
He said, “The growing suppression of opposition voices, whether direct or indirect, the apparent push for political dominance without limits, and the weakening of democratic balance are not just worrisome; they are signs of a system that is under stress and on the verge of breaking.”
“This isn’t just a normal letter; it’s something I really believe in.”
He said that democracy can’t survive when opposition is weakened, made fun of, or systematically silenced. He also said, “A country governed without credible dissent is not stable; it is volatile, and once it starts, it doesn’t respect any office, title, or authority.”
“Mr. President, there have been many leaders in history who thought they were strong because they were in charge. They were surrounded by applause, silenced criticism, and ignored warnings until reality set them straight, which often meant that things would never be the same again. Please don’t walk that way, I beg you.
George said that the president was at a crucial crossroads and that “You can choose to change course, strengthen democratic institutions, and restore national confidence.”
“Or you can let things continue on their current path, which could make divisions worse and lead to problems that no government can fully control.”
He also told the president to accept the truth and stay away from people who flatter him. He said, “Stay away from sycophants.” Accept the truth and be brave. Get rid of the people who lie to you.
“Pay attention to voices of reason.” Keep the democratic space safe. Save Nigeria from a crisis that could have been avoided. Keep its democracy safe. Keep it together. He said, “Make sure its future.”
