Citing the recent events in Rivers State as a worrying illustration of democratic decay, the worldwide organization Nigerians in Diaspora Movement for Democracy has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to permit democracy to flourish in Nigeria.
Calling it a perversion of democracy, the group voiced alarm about the six-month suspension of the elected State Governor, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.
The group urged President Tinubu to reconsider the decision to declare emergency rule in Rivers State and instead use legislative processes to stabilize the situation in an open letter to the president, which was co-signed by Patriot John Andrew Onuh, President, and Dr. Samson Idoko, Secretary General.
They suggested actions include requiring all parties to impose severe sanctions and deterrents, such as a minimum ten-year ban on holding public office or engaging in political activity.
The organization emphasized that President Tinubu’s work and legacy, both past and future, could be harmed if the current crisis is not addressed.
“We wish to fervently plead that democracy should be allowed to thrive and seen obviously to be thriving,” the statement continued. This claim is not made casually or based on conjecture; rather, it is supported by facts.
“What is taking place now clearly deviates from what your Excellency stood for and fought for. Given what has transpired in Rivers State, Your Excellency, it may be evident that democracy is failing under your leadership.
“A six-month suspension of an elected state governor, his deputy, and members of the state house of assembly is not in line with the principles for which His Excellency worked so hard.
“Your Excellency, the entire democratic system in the entire nation is being negatively impacted by the unfair, disproportionate, and excessive pressure that is being placed on Rivers State at its jugular. Democracy is in a state of asphyxia, losing air, and will be suffocated to death if nothing is done in the coming minutes.”
“If that occurs, all of Mr. President’s past and future endeavors would be marred by a squalid democratic tragedy and an unpleasant past. Your Excellency will not permit this to occur.
Therefore, we would like to urge Mr. President to examine the Rivers State declaration of emergency rule with seriousness and urgency in order to amend the ruling and use legislative procedures to stabilize the situation and guarantee that the state’s ugly drift won’t be reversed.
“All parties involved may find these legislative measures persuasive due to their strong deterrent components and consequences, which include a minimum ten-year prohibition on holding public office and/or engaging in political activities.
“We have no doubt that Your Excellency will respond quickly to this call. Have faith in our unwavering patriotism, sir.
