society
The Final Nail: The Dissolution of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party and the Death of Dissent
The Final Nail: The Dissolution of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party and the Death of Dissent
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a move as symbolic as it is devastating, Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, once the largest opposition voice in the city’s legislature, has announced it will begin the process of dissolution. This marks a tragic but predictable climax to Beijing’s iron-fisted campaign against democracy in the once semi-autonomous region. For Hong Kongers and for freedom-loving people worldwide, this is more than the end of a political party; it is the funeral of a political dream, the demise of a free society systematically crushed by authoritarian power.
Established in 1994, the Democratic Party emerged from the post-1989 pro-democracy wave following the Tiananmen Square massacre. For over three decades, the party served as a formidable pillar in Hong Kong’s legislative and civic life. With its seasoned leadership, grassroots support, and unwavering commitment to democratic reform, it represented the conscience of a city once proud of its autonomy and civil liberties. Today, the very space that allowed such a party to exist has vanished, swallowed by the creeping shadow of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
From Autonomy to Authoritarianism
The 1997 handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule came with a promise: “One Country, Two Systems.” This agreement, enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and guaranteed until 2047, assured Hong Kong its own legal and political systems. But over the years, and especially after the 2019 protests, Beijing has systematically eroded every semblance of that promise.
The implementation of the 2020 National Security Law was the fatal blow. Drafted and imposed unilaterally by Beijing, the law criminalized acts deemed as “secession,” “subversion,” “terrorism,” and “collusion with foreign forces.” Its vague language has been deliberately exploited to target journalists, activists, educators, and politicians alike. The Democratic Party, being a leading proponent of democratic governance and civil liberties, inevitably found itself under siege.
Party members have been arrested, disqualified from elections, and subjected to relentless surveillance and intimidation. The once vibrant ecosystem of opposition politics has been decimated. Civic groups have disbanded. Independent media have been shuttered. Courts have been transformed into instruments of political repression. In this context, the Democratic Party’s decision to dissolve is not a surrender, it is a forced exit.
Emily Lau: A Voice Crying in the Wilderness
CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout recently spoke with Emily Lau, former chair of the Democratic Party and one of Hong Kong’s most respected political figures. Her words were a mixture of sorrow, anger, and bitter realism. Lau acknowledged that the party’s dissolution signals a “very, very dark day” for the city’s political future. But she also warned that the pro-democracy movement is not dead—it is merely transitioning into survival mode under extreme duress.
“We were not terrorists. We were not traitors. We were citizens asking for the basic freedoms we were promised,” Lau said. Her words echo the sentiments of millions of Hong Kongers who have watched their city transformed into a police state in a matter of years. The tragedy here is not only the loss of political space but the betrayal of trust. Beijing’s actions constitute a direct violation of international agreements and an affront to the global democratic order.
Silence of the West
Equally disheartening is the muted response from the international community. While the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have issued condemnations and imposed symbolic sanctions, these actions fall far short of what is required. Economic interests continue to trump moral obligations. Corporations remain embedded in Hong Kong’s financial sector. Diplomatic posturing has replaced concrete action.
The dissolution of the Democratic Party should be a wake-up call. It is proof that no entity, no matter how established or respected, is safe in the face of authoritarian expansion. If the world allows Beijing to get away with extinguishing Hong Kong’s freedoms, it sets a dangerous precedent for Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang—and indeed for democracies worldwide.
The Broader Implications
The erosion of democracy in Hong Kong must be understood not as an isolated tragedy, but as part of a broader authoritarian resurgence sweeping across the globe. From Vladimir Putin’s Russia to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and from theocratic regimes in Iran to the autocratic entrenchment in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, the trend is clear: democracy is under siege.
Hong Kong was once a beacon of what China could become—a hybrid model where capitalism and freedom coexisted. That vision has now been violently snuffed out. The Democratic Party’s demise sends an unmistakable message: China’s model of governance is incompatible with political pluralism.
It also reveals the limitations of soft power. While the West celebrated globalization and engagement, Beijing was building a surveillance state and refining its tools of repression. The result is the world’s most technologically advanced dictatorship, now exporting its censorship model through trade, diplomacy, and military assertiveness.
What Comes Next?
For the people of Hong Kong, the future is uncertain and frightening. Many activists are in prison. Others are in exile. A new generation grows up in fear, taught to self-censor, to distrust their neighbors, to obey unquestioningly. Schools teach nationalism, not critical thinking. Media outlets echo party propaganda. Elections are tightly controlled and participation is plummeting.
Yet resistance remains. It lives in encrypted chat rooms, in underground art, in whispered memories. It lives in the hearts of those who remember what Hong Kong used to be, and who believe it can be that again. History teaches us that authoritarian regimes can silence voices, but they cannot erase ideas.
Outside Hong Kong, the democratic world must do more than offer platitudes. It must support exiled activists. It must open its doors to refugees. It must impose meaningful economic sanctions and use global forums to hold China accountable. Above all, it must strengthen its own democratic institutions to withstand similar assaults from within and without.
The Democratic Party’s decision to dissolve is a heartbreaking moment in Hong Kong’s history, but it must not be the final chapter. The world owes it to Hong Kong, and to all who fight for freedom, to remember this betrayal, to learn from it, and to act.
As Emily Lau bravely declared, “You may silence us today, but you will never extinguish the light of freedom.” That light now flickers dimly in Hong Kong, but it is not extinguished. It is up to the global community to nurture it, protect it, and one day, help it shine again.
Defending Itsekiri Heritage: A Call for Justice in Warri’s Electoral Delineation
Introduction
The Itsekiri people, indigenous to the Warri region of Delta State, Nigeria, have a rich history and cultural heritage that dates back centuries. Their ancestral lands, encompassing Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas (LGAs), have been the epicenter of their socio-political and economic activities. However, recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning ward delineation in these areas have raised significant concerns about the marginalization of the Itsekiri people and the potential erosion of their historical rights.
Historical Context of Itsekiri Land Ownership
The Kingdom of Warri, established in 1480, stands as a testament to the longstanding presence and sovereignty of the Itsekiri people in the region. Historical records and maps, including the 1922 colonial map of Nigeria, clearly depict the Itsekiri territory as distinct and well-defined, nestled between the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups. This demarcation underscores the recognition of Itsekiri lands during colonial times, affirming their territorial claims.
Furthermore, historical accounts, such as those by European travelers in the 19th century, highlight the geographical boundaries of the Itsekiri. For instance, a traveler in 1864 noted, “At Warri, we were within one day’s row of the Sobo people,” indicating that the Urhobo (referred to as Sobo) were not originally situated within Warri but were neighbors to the Itsekiri.
INEC’s Controversial Ward Delineation
In April 2025, INEC released a new ward delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency, which includes Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West LGAs. The report proposed a reduction of wards in Itsekiri-dominated areas while increasing those in Ijaw and Urhobo regions. Specifically, the Itsekiri wards in Warri North were reduced from six to four, whereas the Ijaw wards increased from four to ten.
This reconfiguration has been met with strong opposition from the Itsekiri community, who view it as a deliberate attempt to marginalize them politically. The Itsekiri National Development Initiative (INDI) has petitioned INEC, labeling the delineation as biased and lacking transparency. They argue that such actions not only undermine their political representation but also threaten their cultural and historical identity.
Implications of the Delineation
The reduction of Itsekiri wards has far-reaching implications:
Political Marginalization: Fewer wards translate to reduced political representation, limiting the Itsekiri’s influence in local governance and decision-making processes.
Cultural Erosion: Diminished political presence can lead to the neglect of Itsekiri cultural heritage, traditions and language in policy formulations and implementations.
Economic Disadvantage: Political underrepresentation may result in fewer developmental projects and resource allocations to Itsekiri communities, exacerbating economic disparities.
Calls for Justice and Equity
The Itsekiri community’s outcry is not merely about political representation but about preserving their identity and rights. They demand that INEC revisits the delineation exercise, ensuring that it reflects the true demographic and historical realities of the region. As one community leader aptly stated, “We cannot allow our ancestral lands and rights to be eroded under the guise of administrative adjustments.”
Final Word: A Stand for Justice and Indigenous Rights
The struggle of the Itsekiri people is not a cry for favoritism but a demand for justice rooted in historical fact, equity, and democratic fairness. No nation thrives when its founding ethnic nationalities are silenced or politically diminished. The deliberate attempt to redraw boundaries at the expense of the Itsekiri, custodians of the original Warri territory is a betrayal not only of their people but of Nigeria’s constitutional promise of fairness to all.
INEC must retrace its steps and correct this injustice before it festers into deeper ethnic tensions. As Thomas Jefferson warned, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” The Itsekiri are not begging for mercy; they are asserting their constitutional and ancestral rights.
Let the three Warris – Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West be preserved as Itsekiri territory, as history, maps and facts clearly affirm. Let not political manipulation replace justice. Let Nigeria not trample on the dignity of a people who built one of West Africa’s oldest and most organized kingdoms.
Written and Compiled by George Omagbemi Sylvester
For further insights into the Itsekiri community’s stance and protests regarding the INEC’s ward delineation, you may find the following video informative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjD_-1YnG0
One-Term Presidency (OTP) or National Collapse: 2027 Is Nigeria’s Point of No Return
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Fellow Nigerians, we stand at the edge of an abyss. The betrayal we witnessed in the 2023 elections was not just a POLITICAL DISAPPOINTMENT; it was an assault on our COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE, our DEMOCRACY and our NATION’S VERY SOUL. The man currently parading himself as President is not a reflection of the people’s will, he is the result of rigged ballot boxes, technical deceit, judicial compromise and institutional decay.
This is not leadership. It is an imposition. A fraud cemented by the fraudulent declaration of INEC and wrapped in the filthy robes of judicial endorsement. The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, followed by the Supreme Court, failed to uphold justice. What they delivered was not a verdict, it was a betrayal. Nigerians watched as their mandate was stolen, sanitized by legal acrobatics and handed to a candidate who neither earned it nor deserved it.
2027: Our Final Battle for the Soul of the Nation
The 2027 elections will be more than a democratic exercise, they will be the battle for the nation’s survival. We must UNITE not later, but now. Not when it’s convenient, but when it’s necessary. And it is necessary today. The only acceptable and dignified outcome in 2027 must be a rejection of this illegitimate administration. Nigeria must not reward mediocrity, corruption or electoral robbery with a second term.
This man must go. Not because we hate him, but because we love this country more than any man’s ambition.
Comedian and activist Mr. Macaroni captured the public’s frustration best when he said, “If our leaders love us the way they love power, Nigeria would have been paradise.”
Indeed, the current administration has shown more enthusiasm for clinging to power than for addressing the suffering of ordinary citizens. Food prices have doubled, the naira is in free fall and insecurity remains a national plague. Nigerians are slaughtered on highways, students are kidnapped in classrooms and young people flee in droves in search of greener pastures; anywhere but here.
A Government of Absence and Excuses
President Tinubu’s tenure so far has been defined by foreign travel and domestic silence. Rather than face the fire at home, he runs to the comfort of global stages, touting economic reforms that bring nothing but pain to the masses. Fuel subsidies were removed without a clear plan, plunging transportation and living costs into chaos. Foreign investors are still hesitant, inflation is out of control and unemployment worsens daily.
Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore noted, “What we are experiencing is not reform, it is economic warfare on the poor.”
How long shall Nigerians endure this?
If the architects of this crisis return in 2027, then we must admit to ourselves that we are complicit in our own destruction.
Judicial Infamy: The System Is Rotten
It is no longer enough to whisper about judicial compromise, we must confront it. The Nigerian judiciary, once a beacon of fairness, has become a marketplace where justice is priced and purchased. The Supreme Court’s role in affirming the outcome of the 2023 election will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in our legal history.
Our judges have allowed themselves to become tools in the hands of those who despise democracy. The courts are now graveyards where electoral hopes are buried, not resurrected.
Journalist David Hundeyin wrote bluntly, “What INEC did was sabotage. What the courts did was sacrilege.”
The OPPOSITION Must Wake Up
To the POLITICAL OPPOSITION: Nigeria does not need your PRESS CONFERENCES; we need your STRATEGY. We need your SACRIFICE. We need your UNITY. The era of individual ambition must give way to collective survival. A united front is the only force that can stop another four years of economic carnage, corruption and shame.
No more petty rivalries. No more egos. If you cannot unite to save this country, step aside and let others lead the charge.
The People’s Role: From Victims to Warriors
Nigerians must stop waiting for saviors. We are the ones we have been waiting for. Every citizen must become an electoral warrior in 2027 armed with a voter’s card, with CIVIC AWARENESS and with courage. From market women to university students, from artisans to bankers, we must all be ready to fight for our future.
As comedian Basketmouth recently quipped, “The only thing that runs smoothly in Nigeria is corruption.”
Let us change that. Let us make INTEGRITY run smoother. Let us make DEMOCRACY function again.
Steps to Victory in 2027
Mass Voter Mobilization: Register. Re-register. Mobilize friends and families. We must vote like our lives depend on it and truly they do.
Election Protection Units: Volunteer networks must be formed to monitor polling units, report violence and prevent tampering.
Media and Messaging: A strong narrative must be built nationwide that one-term is enough for a government that delivered nothing but hardship.
Diaspora Voting: Push for legal and constitutional reforms to allow Nigerians abroad who contribute over $20 billion annually to the economy to have a voice.
Judicial Reforms: Campaign for accountability within the judiciary. Corrupt judges must be named, shamed and removed.
We Owe This to Future Generations
We must act because we owe our unborn children a better country. We owe them an inheritance that isn’t defined by despair and disappointment. If we don’t rise, they will spit on our memory. They will curse us for our cowardice. And they will be right.
Comedian AY said in one of his recent shows, “We’re not even asking for paradise, just a country that works like normal. Is that too much to ask?”
Apparently, for this administration, it is.
But for the rest of us, it is not only reasonable, it is non-negotiable.
Final Word: Never Again
Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not be re-elected. The mandate was stolen, the system was hijacked, and the people were ignored. One term is already a tragedy. A second term would be national suicide.
We cannot afford to hand this country over to tyranny, corruption and incompetence again. We cannot afford to be remembered as the generation that watched Nigeria burn and did nothing.
2027 is the line in the sand.
Let the slogan be clear, powerful and unforgettable:
“One-Term n Never Again!”
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