Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has sounded a dire warning over recent political developments in the country, cautioning that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat. Speaking in Lagos, George criticized the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the treatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, warning that these actions could spell doom for the Fourth Republic.
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Drawing parallels to past political crises that led to the collapse of Nigeria’s First and Second Republics, George lamented that the current presidential system is becoming more oppressive than military rule. He denounced the voice vote used to approve the state of emergency in Rivers, calling it unconstitutional, and condemned the ongoing attempts to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate as a disgraceful act of political intimidation.
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“The same mistakes that destroyed our past republics are repeating themselves under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government. We saw security forces withdrawn from an elected speaker in Lagos and redeployed to a deposed one. We also witnessed a legislative decision overturned unilaterally by the president. Now in Rivers, an elected governor, his deputy, and lawmakers are suspended, and the National Assembly rubber-stamped this unconstitutional move without the required two-thirds majority,” he stated.
George also criticized the Senate’s handling of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, calling it an embarrassment. He accused the government of persecuting her instead of allowing an independent investigation into her claims. “Rather than looking into her allegations, she was suspended. Now they are manipulating the system to recall her. This is blatant intimidation,” he said.
He further condemned the state of emergency declaration, stating that the law requires two-thirds of the National Assembly’s approval—74 Senators and 240 Representatives—before such a move is validated. “What does a voice vote mean? Did they meet the required numbers? Senators like Tambuwal, Dickson, and Abaribe must be commended for resisting this illegality.”
George also expressed concern over political tensions in Bayelsa, criticizing the planned visit of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to the state despite warnings from the government. “With the unrest in Rivers, why should Wike go to Bayelsa and heat the polity? Is the Federal Government encouraging lawlessness?”
In conclusion, he warned that the ongoing political manipulations could have severe consequences in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. “This presidential system we are operating is worse than military rule. If these excesses are not checked, Nigeria may be headed for another democratic collapse.”
