DEMOCRACY Archives - Voice of Liberty NG

2027: “Nigeria risks crisis if election winners are decided in court” – Jonathan

May 22, 2026May 22, 2026 Aminu Imam

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had warned that Nigeria’s democracy could face a deeper legitimacy crisis if the judiciary continues to determine electoral winners instead of the ballot. According to him, politicians now head to court because they believe judges can overturn the will of the people. Jonathan spoke on Wednesday, at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ‘Abuja Law Week 2026’, which was held at the NBA House, Abuja, with the theme: ‘Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democratic Process’. The former President, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, said…

“Exorbitant party nomination fees turning democracy into elite contest” – IPAC

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has raised concerns over the escalating cost of nomination forms by major political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. The umbrella body of political parties cautioned that the trend had weakened inclusivity and undermined credible participation in the country’s democratic process. Lagos State IPAC spokesman, James Adeshina, who is also the Lagos State Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), expressed the concern in Lagos, saying while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had consistently assured Nigerians of its commitment to credible…

2027: “Tinubu strangling democracy” – Atiku

March 25, 2026March 25, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Says Nigeria sliding into authoritarian rule Former Vice-President of Nigeria and leading voice in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has sounded a dire warning, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively dismantling democracy and pushing Nigeria toward full-blown authoritarian rule, with dangerous implications for the entire West African sub-region. In a blistering condemnation on Monday, Atiku reacted to what he described as a state-sponsored siege by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the residences and businesses of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami—an…

“Unprepared leaders are Africa’s problem” – Obasanjo

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026 Aminu Imam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified leadership as the bane of development in African nations. Obasanjo submitted that when leaders are poorly formed, nations are fractured, sources are stolen, children without education go to bed hungry, and young people with bright futures abandon hope and take “dangerous risks” in search of greener pastures. He spoke on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while addressing graduates of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI). The convocation ceremony took place during the former President’s 89th birthday lecture with the theme: ‘The Global Africa Enlightenment:…

FCT Polls: ‘Democracy under siege; Tinubu suffocating Nigeria’ – Atiku

February 24, 2026February 24, 2026 Aminu Imam

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the low voter turnout recorded in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, describing it as a troubling sign for the nation’s democracy. The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the turnout — which averaged below 20 percent, with just 7.8 percent recorded in Abuja Municipal Area Council — reflects growing public disillusionment with Nigeria’s political system. According to Atiku, the weak participation is not accidental but the result of what he described as a political climate marked by…

“We’ll mobilize Nigerians to defend democracy” – ADC tells Tinubu

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Aminu Imam

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, declaring that the party will mobilise Nigerians to defend the country’s democracy through lawful and constitutional means. In a statement issued yyesterday, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party accused the President of undermining electoral credibility by hastily signing amendments that, it said, introduce ambiguity into the collation and transmission of election results. The ADC argued that the speed with which the amendment was passed by…

Electoral Act Amendment Debacle: “Democracy under threat in Nigeria” – ACF

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has observed with dismay the threat to democracy as a result of the controversies surrounding the Electoral Act Amendment Bills in the Senate and House of Representative. The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, opined that the 10th National Assembly was being influenced by external forces and failing to assert its constitutional independence. The Forum is insisting on real-time transmission of election results in the proposed law, believing that it will enhance transparency and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process. The ACF appealed to the…

Opposition warns of threat to multi-party democracy, alleges EFCC ‘weaponisation’

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Aminu Imam

…Presidency dismisses claims as ‘distraction’ Prominent opposition leaders have raised the alarm over what they describe as a growing threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of politicising anti-graft institutions to intimidate and weaken opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election. In a joint press statement issued on December 15, 2025, and signed by former Senate President David Mark, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Bode George and others, the opposition leaders alleged that key…

When Democracy Loses Its Soul: Nigeria, ECOWAS and the Crisis of Moral Authority in West Africa

December 15, 2025December 15, 2025 Aminu Imam

Onibiyo Segun West Africa is once again trapped in a familiar and troubling cycle: elected governments failing their people, soldiers stepping in, and regional institutions scrambling to defend a version of democracy that millions no longer trust. Nowhere is this contradiction more visible than in Nigeria’s leadership of ECOWAS under Tinubu. Following the failed coup attempt in the Benin Republic, ECOWAS suddenly rediscovered its voice, issuing stern warnings and recommitting itself to the defense of “democratic order.” As current ECOWAS chair, Nigeria has positioned itself as the region’s chief custodian…

“No dictator can survive in Nigeria”, Shettima hails media as heroes of democracy

December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 Aminu Imam

Vice-President Kashim Shettima yesterday declared that no government in Nigeria can successfully silence the press, insisting that the country’s vibrant media landscape remains the strongest safeguard of its democracy. Speaking at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute, (IPI), Nigeria, held in Abuja, Shettima praised journalists for consistently defending citizens’ right to know, even in the face of intimidation and misinformation campaigns. “Nigeria has one of the most vibrant media communities in the world,” he said. “Never in our history has any person or government…