Democracy Hijacked: Nigeria Under Tinubu and APC’s Reign of Suppression

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Once hailed as Africa’s beacon of hope, Nigeria’s democracy is now a battered relic under the suffocating grip of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC). What the world is witnessing is not the nurturing of democratic ideals, but the systematic strangulation of freedom, rights and popular will. Nigerians no longer possess true political rights. Elections are now caricatures. The judiciary dances to executive tunes. The legislature is a rubber stamp. And the masses? They are muted by fear, poverty and intimidation.

International bodies, supposedly guardians of global democracy, remain mostly silent or issue toothless statements while the giant of Africa bleeds internally.

A Nation in Chains

Since Tinubu’s contested swearing-in on May 29 2023, following what The Guardian (UK) described as a “deeply flawed and poorly conducted election,” Nigeria has descended further into autocracy. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) promised technological transparency with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) only for these mechanisms to be crippled on election day, allowing widespread manipulation.

Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission, summed it up perfectly:
“You cannot rig a people’s will and claim legitimacy. Tinubu’s government was born in fraud, and fraud cannot father democracy.”

The very essence of democracy, the right to choose one’s leaders freely and fairly; was brazenly hijacked. When protests erupted, they were crushed with brutal force. The media, once vibrant, now operates under threats of shutdowns, fines and arrests. Activists are labeled “terrorists” or “threats to national security.”

Journalist David Hundeyin, an outspoken critic, captured the fear gripping Nigeria:
“We live in a country where telling the truth has become an act of rebellion.”

Poverty, Insecurity, and Silence

While political rights evaporate, Nigerians are suffocated by poverty. Inflation under Tinubu soared to 33.2% by April 2025 (National Bureau of Statistics), the highest in two decades. Food inflation hit 40%, sending millions into deeper hunger. The removal of fuel subsidies without meaningful cushioning plunged transport costs up by 200%, pushing the minimum wage farther below subsistence levels.

Amid these hardships, dissent is criminalized. When labor unions threatened strikes, the regime secured court orders declaring them “illegal.” Protesters are met with police batons and live bullets, just like during the #EndSARS protests in 2020 under Buhari, whose playbook Tinubu is now perfecting.

Even comedians have become unlikely prophets of doom.
Comedian Basketmouth lamented:
“In Nigeria, you now need visa to visit your own human rights. That’s how bad it is.”

International Bodies: Where Are They?

What have international organizations like the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, or even the Commonwealth done? Very little.

The United Nations issued general statements calling for “inclusive governance” without naming the perpetrators.

ECOWAS, often quick to act elsewhere (e.g., coups in Mali, Burkina Faso), has been conspicuously muted about Nigeria, perhaps because Tinubu played a leading role in ECOWAS’s structure.

The African Union has focused more on Sudan and the Sahel, leaving Nigeria to burn quietly.

The United States, after initial noise about “concerns” during the 2023 elections, quickly congratulated Tinubu and moved on, prioritizing oil deals and counterterrorism interests.

This hypocritical diplomacy sends a dangerous signal:
As long as Nigeria supplies oil and keeps Western interests safe, the trampling of human rights will be tolerated.

Democracy or Democrazy?

Late Chinua Achebe, in The Trouble with Nigeria (1983), warned:
“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”
Tinubu’s reign proves that leadership failure is no longer just a problem; it is now state policy.

Under APC, Nigeria’s democracy is democracy only in name. Elections are rituals devoid of meaning. Courts rubber-stamp electoral thefts, often dismissing glaring irregularities on “technicalities.” Just in 2023, over 75% of election petitions were struck out on “lack of merit,” despite overwhelming evidence of malpractice (according to data compiled by SBM Intelligence).

Social media, once a tool for accountability, is under siege. In February 2025, the National Assembly passed the draconian “Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill,” widely dubbed the “Social Media Gag Law,” criminalizing “insulting public officials” with jail terms up to three years.
As comedian I Go Dye famously quipped:
“In Nigeria, even silence has been accused of hate speech”

The Broader Collapse

Under Tinubu, Nigeria’s global reputation nosedived. According to the 2025 Freedom House report, Nigeria was downgraded from “Partly Free” to “Not Free” for the first time in 20 years.

Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index ranked Nigeria 149th out of 180 countries, worse than war-torn Afghanistan.
The Economist Intelligence Unit predicted that unless political repression ends, Nigeria faces “an inevitable descent into full dictatorship by 2027.”

Already, Nigeria’s youth, once energetic are fleeing en masse. The JAPA syndrome (mass emigration) has become an exodus. According to the UK Home Office, over 100,000 Nigerian professionals emigrated in 2024 alone, the highest African migration recorded.

When the best minds flee, when dissent is crushed, when elections are jokes, what remains of a nation?

What Should Be Done?

International bodies must stop hiding behind diplomatic niceties. Sanctions must target corrupt politicians and human rights abusers, not just coup plotters in smaller African countries.

Targeted Visa Bans: Bar corrupt APC politicians and election riggers from traveling abroad.

Asset Freezes: Block the looted wealth sitting in London, Dubai, and New York.

Global Advocacy: Push for independent media protections and human rights watchdog missions into Nigeria.

If the West and multilateral bodies continue their selective outrage, they will be complicit in Nigeria’s descent into full-blown tyranny.

Inside Nigeria, civil society must regroup. Labor unions, students, market women, comedians, musicians, journalists all must reclaim their role as the conscience of the nation. Democracy is not given by dictators; it is seized by the people.

As the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti warned:
“My people are scared of the air around them, they always have an excuse not to fight for freedom. We must rise.”

A Clarion Call

Nigeria stands today at the edge of a terrifying abyss. Tinubu and the APC have hijacked democracy, and the world watches as freedom withers. But history teaches us that no tyranny is permanent. From South Africa’s apartheid regime to military juntas across Africa, oppressive regimes eventually fall.

The choice is stark: either Nigerians fight back for their rights now, or resign themselves to decades of sophisticated enslavement.

The international community must act. Nigerians must resist. History must not record that in the hour of greatest need, those who should have fought stayed silent.

PRIMATE AYODELE SHOCKER!! Not Atiku, Not Obi, only Tinubu Can Make Nigeria Great Again!

-Warns President To Do 3 Things To Win 2027 Elections

If there is one prophet presently in Nigeria that has established himself clearly as an oracle, one that foretells accurately what the future holds for different prominent individuals and the country at large, that prophet is no other than Primate Ayodele Elijah, the founder and leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual church. Over the years, he has distinguished himself as different from the rest of the crowd. He is a different breed of prophet. What stands him out distinctly is his ability to hear from the Lord and make prophecies long before they happen.
For instance, in 2022, one of the most popular videos from any prophet back then, was the viral video of Primate Ayodele warning Nigerians not to vote for President Tinubu because, according to him, the country would be plunged into severe economic hardship if he is voted into office. And that’s exactly what happened. But today, Primate Ayodele has another fresh prophecy that changes everything, something many Nigerians will be delighted to hear about. Below is his response when he spoke to City People Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) recently.

What is his position on the gale of defections by many PDP members, including governors and ex-governors to the ruling party, APC, he was asked?

“I have said this before, go and look through our previous prophecies. Maybe a lot of Nigerians are surprised, but I am not the least surprised about this. I specifically mentioned the PDP governors that will defect to the APC and it is all coming to light now. This was what the Lord told me would happen since last year.”

“Now, there is something I want to tell you Nigerians and it is very, very critical and it is important that they listen to me very attentively. I am sure many Nigerians will remember that, in 2022, I was the prophet who warned that they should not vote for President Tinubu and that if they do, the country will be doomed and things will go from bad to worse, right? And it turned out as I foretold. Now, I am the same person coming out strongly to tell Nigerians that, it is that same man, Tinubu, that will take us to the Promised land, and they have to take it or leave it. I said it that the economy will be in shambles if he becomes president, I said the prices of petroleum product will be at an all time high and there will be hardship everywhere. I am now telling you that the same man, come 2027, is the best person for the job. He is the one God will use to turn things around and Nigerians will be happy again.”

“As for Atiku, if he becomes the next president of Nigeria, Nigerians will be in perpetual shock at the outcome of how terrible things will become in the country! If it’s Peter Obi, I am telling you Nigeria will no longer be on the map of the world! If it’s Aminu Tambuwal, Nigeria will crash in only a matter of months. If it’s El-Rufai, Nigeria will be buried for life!”

“I am sure a lot of Nigerians are wondering, what is this man saying? I am saying exactly what I know, exactly what God has told me. When I said the last time that Nigerians would not vote for the best candidate at the time, people said I collected money from Atiku, now that I have declared that the best man for the job is President Tinubu, let them come and tell me I have collected money from Tinubu as well. They say all of these because they do not understand who a prophet is. A prophet is dynamic. A prophet must not be one sided, he must listen to the word of God. Tinubu is the man that will make Nigeria better. And the coming 2027 elections will be largely influenced by ethnicity. And Tinubu’s vote will seriously divide the north.”

Meanwhile, there are three people that must not come out to contest, if they do, Tinubu is in trouble! His re-election for a second term will be in crisis. I will not mention the names now, if I must do that, I will speak to only the appropriate person and that’s the president. I want to speak with the president himself and if he likes, let him listen to me because there are three things the president must do to guarantee his re-election for a second term. If he does not do those three things, he will lose the election, I can guarantee him that. He needs to do these very critical things, three of them, before he can be guaranteed of victory in 2027.”

“As for the President’s wife, she must be careful and guide against being poisoned. She must change her cook.”

Primate was asked to comment on the moves by prominent politicians and the opposition to form what they consider a powerful coalition against the President and his government.

“All these coalitions they are forming all over the place is not new to me, people leaving one party for another party has never been an issue with me. I knew all this would happen and we said so. So, its not new,” Primate Ayodele stated.

The highly revered prophet launched into other areas of governance and politics.

“Adebayo Adelabu cannot become governor of Oyo state. If APC gives him their ticket it is going to be nothing but a wasted vote. If they give it to him, the APC will lose disgracefully.”

“In Anambra state, Uwachukwu Nicholas cannot unseat Soludo as governor. Let him run to anywhere he wants, he cannot succeed unless he does some very significant and needful things that will enhance his chances. But limiting his chances to his own capacity and ideas alone, he should forget it, he will not win the Anambra election.

In Osun state, PDP will still retain power. If APC brings back Oyetola, they will lose the election so disgracefully that the APC in Osun state will go into oblivion. Nobody will remember APC again in Osun state.

Outside of politics, I see Eleganza being set ablaze and shoprite. In addition, I am seeing that hundreds of herdsmen will be killed and they will be chased out of the country. I also see the end of militants fighting themselves.

Eggs will become scarce. We must pay attention to our international airports to ensure that no shooting targetted against a VIP takes place.

IGP Egbetokun will go. Then, I must not forget to reveal that Nyesom Wike, the Attorney General of the federation and Ribadu will be engulfed in a very serious fight.

I warned Fubara that he must not go against the FG, he must use the government for government. He has listened to my warnings now, I had released the warning since October 2024. If he follows my advice to him, I am telling you, Fubara will come back, he will go for a second term and he will win.”

Expired Mandates Must Go: A Call for Rebirth in the People’s Democratic Party

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In a country grappling with the deepest crises of its post-independence history, ranging from economic despair to democratic regression, there is no space for expired mandates or recycled leadership. Yet, within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), both at home and in the diaspora, many individuals who have long outlived their political relevance continue to occupy leadership positions. These individuals, once symbols of hope, have now become obstacles to progress, clinging to power not for service but for self-preservation.

The time has come to say it clearly and without apology: they must go. Nigeria cannot afford another electoral cycle wasted on nostalgia and recycled strategies. The PDP must embark on a painful but necessary ideological and structural rebirth. If we are to remain a viable political force capable of saving Nigeria from the catastrophic misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC), then we must begin by purging our ranks of dead weight.

When Leadership Becomes Liability
True leadership is tested not during times of ease, but in moments of national adversity. Sadly, during some of Nigeria’s darkest moments, when the people needed courage, clarity and conviction, many of the PDP’s so-called leaders were either silent, complicit or comfortably absent. While Nigerians suffered the brunt of failed policies, currency freefall, widespread kidnappings and systemic corruption under APC rule since 2015, these leaders were either engaged in backdoor negotiations or gracing dinners hosted by the same regime they were elected to challenge.

This betrayal is not merely political; it is moral. The PDP was founded as a platform for justice, inclusion and national development. Its current condition, tainted by the complicity and cowardice of career politicians, is a disgrace to that vision. Rather than resist tyranny, these political merchants have preferred transactional alliances, preferring personal gain over public good.

Opposition Is Not a Hobby: It Is a Calling
Politics in a democracy, especially from the opposition bench, is not for the faint-hearted. It requires backbone, vision and a readiness to speak truth to power, even at personal cost. But in Nigeria, opposition politics has too often been reduced to empty press releases, Twitter activism and superficial coalition-building that collapses at the scent of political appeasement. The PDP’s most vocal moments seem to come only during electoral seasons, when contracts are on the line and tickets are up for grabs.

This is not opposition, it is opportunism.

Since the APC took power in 2015, Nigeria has faced an alarming regression on nearly every front. Our economy, once Africa’s largest, now wallows in inflation, unemployment and a crumbling Naira. Insecurity has turned vast swathes of the country into killing fields. Democratic institutions have been weakened and civil liberties trampled. And yet, the PDP has not offered the formidable resistance expected of a party with its legacy. Where was the outrage when election results were manipulated? Where was the coordination when court orders were disobeyed or when citizens were gunned down during peaceful protests?

Far too often, PDP leaders have failed to meet the moment. Instead of organizing sustained campaigns against injustice, they were busy negotiating political appointments, forming alliances of convenience or going mute entirely.

The Curse of Recycled Leadership
Nigeria suffers not from a lack of talent, but from the stranglehold of geriatric politics. The same names dominate the PDP’s leadership structure year after year, individuals more committed to preserving their influence than solving Nigeria’s problems. Their ideas are outdated, their rhetoric tired and their loyalty questionable. These figures are relics of a past that Nigerians are desperately trying to escape.

It is this recycling of failed politicians that keeps the party in perpetual crisis. These individuals cling to “UNITY” not as a principle of inclusion, but as a euphemism for entitlement. They manipulate internal processes, undermine youth participation and resist reform. Their refusal to exit the stage is not only selfish; it is dangerous. They have nothing more to offer but delays, distractions and diluted strategies.

A Generational Reawakening
The PDP must now prioritize generational transition; not as a symbolic gesture, but as a matter of strategic survival. The future of opposition in Nigeria depends on the rise of a new crop of leaders, men and women who are untainted by the corruption of the past and committed to confronting the APC with courage, clarity and creativity.

We must restructure our internal systems to promote merit, innovation and grassroots participation. The party must become a sanctuary for activists, youth leaders, technocrats and political reformers, individuals who are willing to stake their reputations and risk personal comfort in service to the people. We need leaders who do not seek comfort in compromise but purpose in resistance.

This change must start from the ward level to the National Working Committee. The culture of “godfatherism,” imposition and shadow deals must end. If we fail to democratize our own party, how can we claim to defend democracy in Nigeria?

Rebirth Through Accountability
Rebuilding the PDP means going beyond slogans. It means instituting a new culture of accountability. Those who failed the party during our most difficult battles must not be rewarded with tickets or appointments. They must be named and shamed. Loyalty must no longer be measured by years of membership, but by years of service, sacrifice and substance.

PDP must also return to issue-based politics. Nigerians are tired of empty rhetoric. We must present comprehensive, bold and practical policy alternatives, from security reform to youth employment, education, healthcare and digital economy development. We must use every avenue/parliament, media, civil society, diaspora networks to expose the failures of the APC and champion workable solutions.

From Diaspora to National Action
This call also extends to the diaspora chapters of the PDP, many of which have devolved into echo chambers dominated by career politicians abroad. The diaspora should be a nerve center of innovation, advocacy and global lobbying for Nigerian democracy, not a retirement plan for political patrons. Our foreign chapters must become engines of ideas, funding and advocacy/not gossip centers filled with expired politicians chasing diplomatic appointments.

Let the new wave of diasporans be bridge-builders between Nigeria and global best practices. Let them lead policy conversations, support grassroots mobilization and raise the intellectual bar of opposition politics.

Time to Clear the Stage:
Nigeria is at a historic crossroads. The APC has failed, but failure alone does not translate to victory for the PDP. Only a credible, dynamic and forward-looking PDP can offer the country a genuine alternative. That journey begins by asking those who have failed the test of leadership to step aside.

This is not a personal attack; it is a patriotic call. If you failed to defend Nigerians in their hour of need, if your legacy is more betrayal than bravery, then the time has come to go.

Let the PDP be reborn through truth, not tokenism. Let it be restructured around the people, not personalities. Let us build a party where conviction overrides convenience and where service, not survival, is the goal.

Let the expired mandates go. Nigeria’s future cannot wait.