society
Nigeria Under Siege: The Tyranny of Tinubu, Wike & Akpabio ( Opinion)
Nigeria Under Siege: The Tyranny of Tinubu, Wike & Akpabio (Opinion)
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Nigeria, once a beacon of federalism and popular sovereignty in post-colonial Africa, is now in the throes of political tyranny dressed in democratic garb. The core ideals upon which the republic was built (separation of powers, representative governance and respect for the people’s mandate) are being dismantled by an unholy trium-virate led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. These three men have arrogated to themselves the powers of gods over Nigeria’s democratic structures. Their coordinated assaults on constitutional order have turned our democratic institutions into empty vessels echoing only the whims of political overlords.
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a glaring example of how dissent is punished and whistle-blowers are silenced. A sitting female senator, representing Kogi Central, courageously alleged sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio; accusing him of making improper advances and suggesting that her legislative motion would only be considered if she “took care” of him. Days later, under the pretense of unrelated “unruly behavior,” she was suspended without pay for six months and stripped of her committee chairmanship. This was no coincidence; it was calculated political retribution. Women’s rights groups across Nigeria (mobilized under the banner “We Are All Natasha”) condemned the Senate’s actions as an assault on gender equity and democratic voice. Her fate was not decided by her peers or due process; it was enforced by Akpabio and his loyalists to send a message: dissent will be punished.
That same authoritarian template unfolded in Rivers State in March 2025. Under a dubious emergency declaration, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly. He then installed a retired naval officer, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the state’s sole administrator. It was only the third time such a radical measure had been used since 1999 and its timing was suspect. Ostensibly a response to pipeline vandalism and political infighting, it was widely seen as a power grab engineered by Tinubu and Wike to neutralize a defiant governor who refused to become another puppet in Abuja’s gallery.
Civil society icon Celestine Akpobari likened the move to “using a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito,” condemning it as unconstitutional and vindictive. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) joined the chorus of legal voices, stating unequivocally that emergency rule does not justify the removal of elected officials. But the Tinubu government, backed by Akpabio’s Senate, bulldozed ahead; reportedly aided by Wike, who allegedly funneled over $3 million in bribes to senators to support the declaration. Key senators were wined and dined in covert meetings and Iftar sessions, where dollars reportedly flowed in exchange for silence or support. To avoid scrutiny, debate on the President’s emergency letter was delayed until attendance was low; ensuring minimum resistance and maximum control.
Fubara, cornered and politically isolated, was coerced into a Faustian bargain. Tinubu reportedly agreed to reinstate him on the condition that he abandon any plans to run for re¬election in 2027 and hand over control of all 23 local government chairmanships to Wike. It was less a political compromise than a surrender of democratic legitimacy. Wike later bragged publicly, saying: “I wanted the outright removal of Governor Fubara… The president saved Fubara… people should be praising him.” His statement, laced with arrogance, exemplified the disdain this ruling clique has for democratic norms.
The Lagos State Assembly saga added another layer to the crisis. In January 2025, lawmakers impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa for alleged abuse of office and replaced him with Mojisola Meranda; Lagos’s first female speaker. Yet, within 49 days, Meranda was forced to resign and Obasa was reinstated, not through legislative consensus but by presidential order. Tinubu summoned the lawmakers to Abuja, overrode a reconciliation panel’s recommendations and reinstalled his loyalist. The president even directed Obasa to drop his lawsuit, showcasing the executive’s total control over supposedly autonomous legislative processes. Even within the APC, members of the Governance Advisory Council expressed discomfort, underscoring the lack of transparency and due process.
In Edo State, the 2024 gubernatorial election was presented to Nigerians as a legitimate victory for Monday Okpebholo of the APC, who defeated PDP’s Asue Ighodalo by roughly 44,000 votes. The result, though legally affirmed by INEC and the Election Tribunal, was tainted by widespread reports of primary coercion, imposed delegates and predetermined outcomes. Local voices decried the election not as a product of popular will but as a coronation engineered in Abuja, with Tinubu and Wike reportedly influencing the internal party process to ensure their loyalist emerged. Edo’s political landscape was shaped not by the people but by the dictates of political godfathers.
When these events are viewed collectively, a clear and disturbing pattern emerges: a SYSTEMIC SUBVERSION of DEMOCRACY through EXECUTIVE OVERREACH, LEGISLATIVE BULLYING, ELECTORAL MANIPULATION and TARGETED INTIMIDATION.
Akpabio’s Senate serves less as a check on the executive and more as an enforcement arm of Tinubu’s whims. Rivers State was effectively under a political siege, reduced to a bargaining chip between a federal president and his power-hungry minister. Lagos lawmakers were reduced to pawns, their votes overridden by a presidential edict. Edo’s democratic future was hijacked at the primary level by a script written far from Benin City.
This is not the vision Nigeria’s constitution upholds. This is not the democracy Nigerians voted for. What we are witnessing is the enthronement of a de facto monarchy; a triumvirate where Tinubu, Wike and Akpabio assume the roles of EMPEROR, ENFORCER and PRIEST. Together, they are eroding the sanctity of our institutions and silencing voices that dare speak truth to power.
The fallout is far-reaching. Prominent voices have raised the alarm. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan courageously declared: “This was orchestrated to silence my voice… That action is an assault on democracy. I am not apologising for speaking my truth.” Civil society actors have warned that Nigeria is descending into authoritarianism masked by constitutional rhetoric. Dele Olojede, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, aptly captured the crisis: “We are casually getting rid of the entire state government and overriding the will of the electorate.” The Nigerian Bar Association has warned that the misuse of emergency powers could spark a constitutional crisis.
To borrow the unflinching words of Thomas Jefferson: “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” Nigerians today are ruled by a political caste that no longer fears accountability. This triumvirate of Tinubu, Wike and Akpabio has made tyranny fashionable by dressing it in agbada and wrapping it in the language of democracy. At this perilous juncture, reclaiming the republic is not merely a political duty; it is a moral and generational imperative. Civil society must RISE. Religious leaders must SPEAK. The youth must ORGANIZE. The opposition must RESIST. We must collectively reject a political order in which the will of three men overrides the voice of 200 million citizens.
Power belongs not to a cabal of self-declared gods but to the people. If democracy is to survive in Nigeria, she must be wrestled back from those who would rule by decree, not by consent. This is not a time for timid appeals or polite protests. This is the time for uncompromising patriotism and unwavering resistance.
The republic is under siege. It is time to reclaim it.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
society
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a statement released to the press, the Initiative conveyed warm wishes for the President’s personal well-being and for his continued leadership of the nation. The statement, signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, expressed hope that the coming year would bring the President “renewed strength and more wisdom in guiding the nation.”
The statement further noted that the Grand Patron of the Initiative, His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined in celebrating the milestone. It added, “Wishing Your Excellency continued good health, vitality, and determination as you lead the country towards greater unity and progress.”
The message underscores support for President Tinubu’s administration and its national objectives, marking the birthday as an occasion to reaffirm commitment to the nation’s unity and advancement under his stewardship.
society
Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu …Calls for Moral Renewal
*Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu
…Calls for Moral Renewal
Lagos – Dominion City has announced plans to host its annual Global Camp Meeting alongside a special “2 Nights of Glory” gathering in April 2026, with events scheduled to be held simultaneously in Lagos and Enugu.
The week-long programme is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants onsite and millions of virtual attendees from across the globe.
The Global Camp Meeting will run from Wednesday, April 1 to Monday, April 6, featuring daily sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The “2 Nights of Glory” is slated for Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at the Golden Heart Place, Km 22 Lekki-Epe Expressway, beside Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.
Organised by Dominion City, a global church focused on raising transformational leaders, the conference will centre on revival, spiritual renewal, and practical teachings. This year’s theme, “Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers,” underscores a call to return to foundational values and principles.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe, emphasised the need for moral reawakening as a pathway to national transformation. He described the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” noting that the conference aims to confront moral decline and restore core values within society.
“We are going back to foundational truths that established the Church. These truths will help repair societal damage and reposition the Church as a source of hope and light,” Onaga said.
Also speaking, Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor of Dominion City Headquarters, highlighted the Church’s role in addressing ethical and cultural challenges, particularly among young people. He added that the programme would go beyond spiritual teachings to include sessions on artificial intelligence, innovation, business, media, arts, and career development.
“We are equipping people not just spiritually, but with relevant 21st-century skills to thrive in today’s world,” Olapade noted.
The conference will feature teachings and ministrations from a lineup of international ministers, including Dr. David Ogbueli, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Andres Bisonni, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Peter Nnajiofor, Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, Apostle Ben Hanyani Ndobe, Evangelist Dan Scott, and Dr. Chiefo Ejiofobiri.
Music ministrations will also be led by notable gospel artists such as Grace Idowu, Rhema Onuoha, Once More Six, David Nkennor, Anthony Kani, and GUC.
Organisers disclosed that over 30,000 participants are expected to attend in person, with free transportation provided from designated locations across Lagos to ease access. In addition, free medical services will be offered daily, building on previous outreaches that benefited over 1,700 people.
To ensure safety and order, more than 200 traffic marshals will be deployed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Beyond its spiritual impact, organisers project that the event will stimulate local economic activity across hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
The Global Camp Meeting remains a key platform for spiritual impartation, leadership development, and societal transformation, aligning with Dominion City’s mission to equip believers to influence their communities positively.
Participation is open to the public, with registration available online for both physical and virtual attendance. //END.//
*PHOTO CAPTIONS:*
L-R: Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ); Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, DCHQ, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held the weekend of 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
L-R: Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, DCHQ; and Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held over the weekend in 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
society
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Elebo II, has extended warm felicitations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a goodwill message issued from his palace, the revered monarch described President Tinubu as a visionary statesman, a courageous reformer, and an indefatigable democrat whose lifelong commitment to nation-building continues to shape Nigeria’s progress.
Oba Babatunde Saliu praised the President’s unwavering dedication to public service, noting that his leadership has ushered in a new phase of economic reform, infrastructural renewal, and institutional strengthening across the country.
According to the monarch, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has begun yielding tangible relief and renewed confidence among citizens, reflecting his determination to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep love for Nigeria. His administration’s bold initiatives are laying the foundation for long-term national transformation. At 74, he remains steadfast in his resolve to build a stronger, more united, and economically vibrant nation,” the monarch stated.
Oba Babatunde further commended the President’s legacy of leadership, describing him as a bridge-builder, a mentor to many leaders, and a symbol of democratic stability. He acknowledged the President’s decades of sacrifice and contribution to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
On behalf of the Oworosoki Kingdom, the royal father prayed for divine wisdom, sound health, and renewed strength for the President to successfully complete the noble reforms and developmental strides he has embarked upon for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“As Your Excellency marks 74 remarkable years, we pray that Almighty God grants you long life, continued wisdom, and the fortitude to steer our great nation toward greater heights. May your days be filled with strength and grace as you continue to serve Nigeria with distinction,” Oba Babatunde Saliu added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks 74 as a leader whose enduring influence, bold reforms, and steadfast patriotism remain central to Nigeria’s ongoing journey of national renewal.
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