Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dele Momodu, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an anti-democratic move.
Tinubu’s decision, which included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, has sparked widespread backlash.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Momodu expressed disappointment, arguing that Tinubu’s actions contradict the pro-democracy principles he once championed.
“This Is Worse Than a Dictatorship”
Momodu, who was once in exile with Tinubu during Nigeria’s military rule, said he was shocked by the president’s recent decisions.
“I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very, very, very well. Though I’ve never been in the same party with him, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for this democracy,” he said.
“Many of us, his former comrades, are embarrassed that a leader who once championed democracy is now implementing policies worse than a dictatorship.”
Momodu warned that undermining democratic institutions could be Tinubu’s greatest failure.
“You can fail in the economy, and people may forgive you because you’re not a professor of economics. You can fail in other areas, but don’t fail in democracy.
You must deepen our democracy—something President Goodluck Jonathan and even Olusegun Obasanjo managed to do despite political tensions.”
A Plea to Tinubu: “Don’t Kill Democracy”
Momodu urged Tinubu to reconsider his approach, warning that democracy in Nigeria was at risk.
“I’m pleading with President Bola Tinubu: Please don’t kill democracy in Nigeria. Those who genuinely care about him will tell him this.
I have never asked him for anything, but I respect his past contributions to democracy. That legacy is now being destroyed.”
APC’s Intimidation Tactics
Momodu also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of intimidating opposition figures and misleading Tinubu.
“I’m saying it now, openly, to millions of Nigerians: People are deceiving President Tinubu, and he should not allow himself to be misled.”
He advised the president to focus on governance rather than political oppression, insisting that delivering good leadership—not intimidation—will secure Tinubu a second term.
“The only thing that can guarantee a second term is doing your job well. You don’t need to intimidate anybody.”
