Nigeria’s President, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been urged not to let his political allies undermine the country’s democratic framework by discarding the essence of democracy amidst the chaos. He is thus called upon, as a matter of urgent national significance, to take decisive action to preserve Nigeria’s democracy. This appeal was made by the National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, during a press briefing in Abuja, as detailed in a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Khalid Arewa, on Sunday.
The National Chairman of the ZLP stated that they convened an emergency meeting due to the alarming anti-democratic developments unfolding in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos states. According to him, “We of the ZLP deeply lament the distressing and anti-democratic occurrences in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos States.
We implore President Tinubu to immediately silence this discordant tune, particularly as it is allegedly orchestrated by his political allies—Ministers Nyesom Wike, Oyetola, and Honourable Obasa of the Lagos State House of Assembly.”
He further cautioned, “We warn against Osun and Lagos States re-enacting the chaos of the Wild Wild West, and Rivers State revisiting the perilous militancy previously witnessed in the oil-rich region.” It can be recalled that various political crises have been simmering in some states, intensifying the political climate and escalating to the Supreme Court.
When reminded that the President cannot intervene in legal matters, Dan Nwanyanwu responded, “While the ZLP acknowledges this, we firmly believe that, at times, a political solution is essential.” He queried, “What is the legal standing of the 27 members of the Rivers Assembly who defected from the party that sponsored their elections to another party, absent any division in the party’s national leadership? And what is the implication of the affidavit they swore, admitting their defection?”
He emphasized, “As if that were not enough, attempts are now being made to retract the same affidavit sworn by them to allow them to have their cake and eat it too. It is evident that they have departed from their political party through their actions in December 2023. Even an unborn child could attest to their defection, with announcements, video recordings, and the reception organized by the party they joined. This forms the backdrop of the crisis leading to the withholding of funds and other related issues,” he added.
The ZLP National Chairman declared, “Abuse of privilege and opportunities has become rampant. And we cannot remain silent. Recall when you and I were fighting for democracy’s survival in 1993 at the home of the late M.K.O Abiola, the denied Elected President of Nigeria, as our meeting point; these individuals were nowhere near you in the struggle.”
“In essence, the ZLP contends that the President’s intervention is urgently needed because we reside in a region where democracy is regrettably in decline, hinting at how the political crisis of the Wild Wild West began,” he added.
He concluded, “Imagine the unintended consequences of the Wild Wild West and the severe economic repercussions if, in a less than transparent manner, His Excellency Sim Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, is impeached, and in response, the Ijaw youth start disrupting oil production? Is it not ironic that the withholding of Local Government Funds, irrespective of the legal maneuvers, is occurring under President Tinubu?” Dan Nwanyanwu questioned.
