The presidency has missed another opportunity to engage in a meaningful discourse about Nigeria’s democracy and what the administration is doing to uphold democracy.
Development Diaries reports that in a recent statement, the Special Advisor on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed the assertion by former Governor of Anambra State, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, that democracy has collapsed.
I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation. How can a democracy… pic.twitter.com/d9gnkMqs2r
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) March 24, 2025
He described it as ‘hyperbolic and lacking logical foundation’.
According to Obi, citing his personal political experiences, he noted that the judicial and democratic institutions that once upheld fairness and justice had deteriorated, adding that the system was failing and required urgent attention to rebuild it.
The outright dismissal of Obi’s concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria is both disappointing and counterproductive.
Rather than addressing the substance of his argument, Onanuga chose to downplay and ridicule Obi’s remarks, missing an opportunity to engage in a meaningful discourse on the nation’s democratic health.
Even if you think Obi’s words were exaggerated, that doesn’t change the fact that many Nigerians are worried about the decline of democracy, especially when there are real examples of executive overreach, judicial interference, and the suppression of dissent.
A healthy democracy thrives on robust discussions, not defensive responses that don’t address the real problems.
Instead of dismissing Obi’s concerns, the presidency should take them as constructive criticism and use them as an opportunity to reinforce democratic principles.
Obi’s anger is shared by many Nigerians who think that the institutions and processes of government that are supposed to protect democracy have become weaker.
The presidency must recognise that democracy is not just about holding elections but ensuring the independence of the judiciary, legislative accountability, and press freedom.
Rather than attacking dissenting voices, Tinubu’s administration should focus on rebuilding public trust by genuinely addressing issues such as electoral transparency, judicial autonomy, and civil liberties.
If the presidency truly believes democracy has not collapsed and has even improved under President Tinubu, then the most effective way to silence critics would be through evidence-based governance.
Onanuga and other government officials should present clear, verifiable improvements in democratic processes, rule of law, and institutional independence under this administration.
Instead of engaging in rhetorical battles with opposition figures, the government should let its actions speak louder by upholding justice, respecting the rule of law, and strengthening democratic institutions.
By doing so, critics will have no choice but to acknowledge genuine progress rather than simply capitalising on perceived failures.
One immediate step the president should take to prove his commitment to democracy is to reverse the controversial state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
This decision, which many view as an overreach and a politically motivated action, contradicts the very democratic principles the presidency claims to uphold.
In order to demonstrate that democracy is thriving under his watch, Development Diaries calls on President Tinubu to see to it that that constitutional governance is respected, political opposition is not stifled, and governance decisions are not weaponised to serve partisan interests.
Taking strong action in this area would show that the current government is serious about strengthening democracy and not just talking about it to defend itself.
