A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has condemned the reported harassment of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, describing it as a direct threat to Nigeria’s federal system.
George made the remarks in a statement on Monday, January 5, while reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic experience amid recent political and economic developments.
According to him, targeting elected governors for holding opposing political views undermines democracy and weakens the country’s federal structure.
“The harassment of these governors is not a mere political skirmish; it is a calculated assault on federalism,” George said.
He warned that the intimidation of state executives for dissenting opinions signals a dangerous drift toward authoritarianism, stressing that democracy cannot function without tolerance for opposition.
George noted that democracy thrives on the exchange of ideas and competing viewpoints, cautioning against any attempt to silence opposition voices.
“Democracy thrives on a plurality of ideas, not the silence of the graveyard,” he said.
He also warned that policies perceived as deliberately weakening opposition parties could erode democratic values and public confidence in governance.
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George urged political leaders to embrace service and sacrifice as core principles of leadership, saying these qualities are essential for meaningful governance.
He further called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission to uphold fairness and transparency ahead of future elections.
“The credibility of our democracy rests squarely on INEC. The era of miracle results and technical glitches must end,” George said.
On economic matters, George cautioned the Federal Government against imposing taxes that could worsen the hardship faced by citizens and businesses.
“While revenue generation is important, it must not come at the cost of the people’s survival,” he said.
Drawing from international experience, he cited Venezuela as an example of how excessive taxation and suppression of opposition can destabilise even resource-rich nations.
“Venezuela reminds us that when leadership prioritises power over the people, nations crumble,” he said.
George called on leaders to protect democratic institutions, respect opposing views and prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.
“The soul of our nation depends on it,” he said.