*STATE OF THE NATION – DEAR MR. PRESIDENT OUR NATION IS WOBBLING POLITICALLY
Nigeria is entering a troubling season — one where the very principles of democracy are being tested.
Those entrusted with safeguarding our Republic now appear, regrettably, to be undermining it through actions that erode trust, civility and institutional integrity.
History teaches that no nation survives when power is placed above principle.
Yet, rather than strengthening our democratic institutions, some actors are lowering standards, sidelining critical reasoning and placing personal ambition over national interest. In the process, Nigerians are paying a painful price.
Across the country — from Kebbi to Zamfara, Borno to Benue, Kwara to Ogun —citizens are being abducted and killed by violent elements.
Instead of responding with urgency, the APC-led Federal Government appears preoccupied with political positioning ahead of 2027, even if it means weakening institutions and suffocating the opposition.
The recent disruption at the PDP Secretariat on November 18 is a grave warning. The actions of a group previously expelled for anti-party activities —reportedly encouraged by a serving Federal Minister —constitute an unacceptable assault on democratic order.
Their attempt to prevent a duly-elected leadership from assuming office was not only unlawful but part of a broader pattern that threatens the future of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
As a life member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), I maintain without ambiguity: anyone wishing to leave the party is free to do so.
A political party, like a tree, grows stronger when unhealthy branches fall away.
But what must not continue is the deliberate provocation, the disregard for party rules, and the attempt to seize what does not belong to one.
The forced entry into the PDP National Secretariat crossed every line of decency and legality. Nigeria has moved beyond the era where sheer force overrides order. The question now is: Who authorised the police to take over the headquarters? Under what authority? Since when does a tenant overtake a landlord?
It is troubling that, in the face of all this, the President — the custodian of our democracy — has remained silent. Silence at such a moment can only be interpreted as tacit approval.
Our nation’s history between 1962 and 1966 teaches us that seemingly small political infractions, when ignored, can snowball into national disasters.
The powers-that-be then thought they were dealing with the opposition party. They didn’t know they were pulling apart our dear nation. Their actions and inactions eventually led to the collapse of the First Republic, which unfortunately dovetailed into the civil war between July 6, 1967 and January 15, 1970 when more than two million Nigerians were killed.
Everything was done to silence the leader of opposition. The Leader of opposition was placed under house arrest and the Coker Commission of Inquiry was set up. Nothing came out of it.
Then, the opposition leader and some of his loyalists were charged with treason.
They were eventually jailed in 1963.
Everything was done to destroy the party and the institutions in the Western Region.
All the Federal and Regional elections were shamelessly rigged, leading to ‘Operation Wetie’ where people were killed and their houses burnt.
In 1965, the Prime Minister was asked what he was doing about the crisis in the Western Region and he said as far as he was concerned, there was no crisis. Painfully, in 1966, the Prime Minister and the First Republic became history.
The same scenario is playing itself out today with the way the APC-led Federal Government is trying to destroy PDP, the only true national party in Nigeria.
In 1972, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the great and iconic Nigerian musician who was born by a clerical father and a highly politically inclined mother, released his popular album, “Roforofo Fight” where he sang ‘When Trouble Sleep, Yanga Wake Am, Wetin E dey Find, Na Palaver E Dey Find. Na Palaver E Go Get oooo’.
Fela died in 1997 but unfortunately, the effect of that song is still reverberating in Nigeria today.
Those in charge of the polity have closed their ears to reasoning and deliberately coming out with actions capable of disintegrating the country.
It is disheartening that Nigeria is precariously and dangerously staggering on the path of self-destruction.
I want to reiterate that what the Federal Government is doing in this PDP matter, by giving police protection to some renegades who have vowed to destroy our party, is completely illegal and Nigerians know this. Constitutionality is being disregarded and disrespected. It is not possible for illegality to overcome legality. It will never happen, now or later.
Mr. President, this is not the time for silence.
Our country’s image is suffering, and the actions of a few are giving governance an unfortunate public face.
The younger generation, watching these events unfold, may grow disillusioned with democratic processes if this trajectory continues.
The PDP governed Nigeria for 16 years without subjecting any political opponent to this level of harassment or institutional manipulation.
It is, therefore, imperative that you call your minister to order and insist that he respects the laws of the land.
I am equally concerned about the role of the Judiciary.
Why are PDP-related cases consistently channeled to the same few judges within the Abuja Division? The Judiciary must be seen to be impartial. Anything short of fairness weakens its moral authority.
Our party’s National Leadership, led by Senior Advocate Kabiru Turaki, has not called for the sealing of our headquarters.
So, on whose order is the Police acting? Why the persistent effort to weaken the PDP ahead of 2027?
Nigeria has already witnessed where such political intolerance can lead — most notably in the First Republic.
To Minister Nyesom Wike, I speak as an elder: you have been a major beneficiary of the PDP — Chairman of a Local Government, Chief of Staff, Minister, and Governor. The party nurtured your political rise. It is, therefore, painful to watch you take actions capable of damaging the very institution that supported you. Power is temporary; reputation is permanent. Do not allow yourself to be used as an instrument to destabilise the Republic.
History is replete with lessons. When institutions are weakened, chaos follows. This is not the path Nigeria deserves.
Since 1999, PDP has remained the only truly national political party.
Current actions by some individuals risk pushing our democracy towards instability.
Nigerians are watching. Their silence should not be mistaken for indifference.
I also respectfully appeal to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, regarding the National Library project.
While libraries are valuable, the world has changed. With today’s digital tools, N20 billion could empower millions of young Nigerians through soft loans and microcredit schemes.
Our youths need opportunities, not monuments.
To Mr. President: is this democracy as envisioned by the Constitution, or are we drifting into a pattern of governance that contradicts its spirit?
Repeated violations of due process and unchecked abuses of power undermine public confidence and threaten national cohesion.
Nigeria stands at a crossroads.
The current trajectory does not lead to peace or stability.
If not halted, it could plunge the nation into deeper political crisis.
I speak from experience, and from a sincere desire to preserve the unity and future of our country.
Let this serve as a solemn warning: Enough is enough. This country belongs to all of us.
Power is not eternal, and every leader must govern with that humility in mind.
For the sake of our democracy, our history, and our children, the time to act responsibly is now. Nigeria cannot afford another avoidable political collapse.
A word is enough for the wise.
Thank you for your attention.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
*CHIEF OLABODE IBIYINKA GEORGE
ATONA OODUA OF YORUBALAND
DECEMBER 2, 2025
