By Ogochukwu Isioma
An international group, Nigerians in Diaspora Movement for Democracy, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria, citing the recent developments in Rivers State as a concerning example of democratic erosion.
The group expressed alarm over the suspension of the elected State Governor, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months, calling it a distortion of democracy.
In an open letter to President Tinubu co-signed by Dr. Samson Idoko and Patriot John Andrew Onuh, its President and Secretary General, NDMD urged President Tinubu to revisit the decision to declare emergency rule in Rivers State and instead use legislative processes to stabilize the situation.
They proposed measures such as compelling all parties concerned to implement strong deterrent elements and sanctions, including a ban on participating in political activities and/or holding public offices for at least ten years.
The group emphasised that if the current situation is not addressed, it could damage President Tinubu’s efforts and legacy, both past and future.
The statement added: “We wish to passionately plead that democracy should be allowed to thrive and seen obviously to be thriving. We do not make this assertion lightly or base it on an assumption but on factual grounds.
“There is clear derailment from what your Excellency stood and fought for from what is happening today. Your Excellency, with what has happened in Rivers State, it is potentially clear that democracy under your presidency is no longer thriving.
“A practice where an elected State Governor, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly are suspended for six months does not represent what His Excellency stood for and fought so much for.
“Your Excellency, the unequal disproportionate and excessive pressure placed on Rivers State at its jugular is affecting the entire democratic system in the whole country, democracy is in a state of asphyxia, losing air and if nothing is done in some few minutes, it will be suffocated to death.
“If that happens, then the entire efforts of Mr. President both past and future would be dented in an ugly history, a crude democratic tragedy. Your Excellency cannot allow this to happen.
“We, therefore, wish to call on Mr President to take a serious and urgent look at the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State to revise the decision and instead utilize legislative processes to stabilize the situation as well as ensure that there is no reversal of the ugly drift in Rivers State.
“These legislative measures could be compelling for all parties concerned with strong deterrent elements and sanctions which will include a ban on participating in political activities and/or holding public offices for not less than ten years.
“We are convinced that Your Excellency will heed this call and act expeditiously. Have the confidence of our unending patriotism Sir.”
